University lecturers are risking the
withdrawal of a packet of pay increases that was offered to trade unions
representing the University’s academic staff in recent weeks if it continues to
be refused by the unions.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of
Finance issued the warning to the unions insisting that the official proposals
currently on the table represent a substantial improvement in the salaries of
University academic staff.
In a rally Tuesday morning at the
University, The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) and UMASA (University of Malta
Academic Staff Association) ordered University
and Junior College professors and lecturers to hold a one-day strike on
Wednesday following a breakdown in the discussions between the unions and the
Government over salaries.
The academic staff had also been instructed
by the unions to boycott the ceremony that inaugurated the opening of the
academic year at University.
In the statement, the Finance Ministry said
the pay demands made by the unions were not realistic and would cost the
country €140 million over six years.
There are substantial discrepancies between
the offer made by Government and the requests tabled by the unions. University
professors' pay package is currently €37,806 and the government was proposing
to raise it to €41,560 from January with the unions asking for €69,285.
Senior lecturers were currently paid €31,118 and
the government proposal was for an increase to €32,311 while assistant
lecturers were currently paid €22,635 and the proposed increase was of €23,584.
Unions are asking for €57,677 and €31.249 respectively.
