Through a Collective Agreement that was signed on Thursday, the working conditions and the financial package of the administrative, technical and industrial workers of the University of Malta are being strengthened. Through it 940 employees will benefit.
The agreement, which covers the period until the end of 2027, was signed by the President of the University Council l-Perit Karmenu Vella, by Professor Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University and Josef Vella, Isabelle Farrugia , Noel Caruana and Nathalie Cauchi for the side of the United Workers Union.
The Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Matthew Vella and Thomas Woods, the Head of the Industrial Relations Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister, presided over the signing of the agreement.
Minister Clifton Grima said, “This is another collective agreement that we are signing and through which we are showing our commitment to invest in the best resource that our country has, the human resource. This agreement strengthens the working conditions as well as the financial package, while introducing other measures that collectively see not only increases that reflect today’s realities, but also strengthens the opportunities for career advancement of ‘ these workers.”
Josef Vella, Chief Executive of the United Workers Union expressed his satisfaction for an agreement reached that will lead to better conditions, an improvement in salaries and more flexibility which is an important element in the lifestyle we are living today in order to have a better balance between work and family. He continued that the union will be closely following the implementation of this agreement. He thanked all those who had a part in this agreement for their work and commitment.
Matthew Vella, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry, thanked the Union Đaddiema Maqqadin and the University of Malta for their collaboration to finalize this collective agreement. “This achievement took place as a result of the direction taken by the Ministry of Education to foster a culture based on open dialogue, which actively listens and acts according to needs, while ensuring that the person is always in – the center of all the decisions that are taken,” said Mr. Vella.
Professor Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University, stressed that without administrative support, an institution like the University cannot function properly. “We must recognize, as we have actually done, the needs that evolve with the times. I am satisfied that we have arrived here and I appreciate the honest way in which the signatories have always represented these needs. “
