Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1196490
OPINION 26 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 DECEMBER 2019 100 years and counting: The Malta Union of Teachers Marco Bonnici Marco Bonnici is President of the MUT THE Malta Union of Teachers has been the main catalyst for the establishment of the trade union movement in Malta in the post Sette Giugno era. This is evidenced in the docu- mented historical anecdotes throughout its 100 years where MUT had a central influence in all major decisions which have been taken in education in Malta. Despite its heavy influence in education, MUT had also influenced other sectors in- cluding employees' conditions of work, related legislation and the increased importance of the social dialogue model. MUT's contribution was never confined to our islands but its participation in International and European fora is well documented. MUT's dual roles of a trade union and a professional organisation were at times interchangeable but always present. MUT's decisions even in the most difficult situations have been taken by seeking the right balance between both roles. Most noticeably, and in contrast with other educators' unions which have been estab- lished and dissolved in the past hundred years, MUT managed to reinvent itself to keep its rel- evance and continued to grow both in terms of membership and influence. MUT has always been a proactive union which is not afraid of change but which influences change. Following the centenary com- memorations held in the past weeks it is our duty to look ahead and to continue to im- plement the vision of the MUT for the coming years. Supporting educators, supporting students We must strive to support educators in their duties by safeguarding what has been achieved, improving condi- tions of work and financials. However, in doing so it is im- perative that students remain at the centre of the system. Supporting educators implies supporting students and there cannot be any improved sup- port to students by ignoring educators' needs. Individual vs collective We need to resist the trend whereby the 'I' is more impor- tant than the 'we'. Unfortu- nately individualism is being promoted in various streams with self-gratification becom- ing more important than the collective needs. MUT is a proof that results are achieved whenever the collective inter- est was sought and this princi- ple needs to be upheld. Leadership and standards We need to promote the highest standards in the trade union field. MUT has a legacy based on sound ethical prin- ciples whilst ethical standards are not always present in the local trade unionistic field. As the leading union MUT needs to ensure that the highest ethi- cal standards are maintained and promoted. Correct vs fake information We need to continue to pro- vide the correct information to educators in a field where fake information divulged at times intentionally is doing rounds on various media. MUT has a fundamental duty to issue con- sistent and reliable information to educators as it is the union involved in all discussions and negotiations in the sector. Common difficulties, common solutions We need to strengthen the ties with European counter- parts to share good practices. This is most relevant in seek- ing solutions to overcome diffi- culties and challenges which are experienced by different countries. Amongst these is the shortage of educators, the ongoing changes in the educa- tion policies and the challenges of multiculturalism. Solutions not problems We need to continue to provide solutions and not just 2 0 years of journalism It's Happy Birthday to us, but it's only thanks to you, our readers. CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF BOLD JOURNALISM WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT/20YEARS