Union of Professional Educators directives ‘clearly illegal and a threat to industrial relations stability,’ says MEA

The recent industrial actions being taken by unions that do not have a majority of employees in a workplace are a threat to the stability of industrial relations, the Malta Employer’s Association warned yesterday on the ongoing dispute between the Union of Professional Educators and the Malta Union of Teachers on Learning Support Educators.

The MEA warned yesterday that, “The directives issued by the Union of Professional Educators to Learning Support Educators, are clearly illegal and a threat to industrial relations stability.

“They impinge upon the functioning of industrial democracy, and besides disrupting productivity without having any legal legitimacy to do so, they also disrespect the rights of the union that has the legitimate recognition to negotiate collective issues.

“No workplace should be made to suffer the consequences of such irresponsible rivalry among trade unions.”

The MEA insisted that stable industrial relations are one of the cornerstones of Malta’s economic performance.

“Stable industrial relations are dependent on responsible employers and unions who are aware of and recognise their rights and also their boundaries. It is established by legislation that only a union that has a majority membership in a company or organisation can make collective representation,” the MEA said.

This, the Association said, also means that directives for industrial action can only be issued by a union that is recognised by management as representing the majority of employees.

Minority unions can, however, represent individual members the MEA reminded.