Official figures published in the wake of the signing of the Collective Agreement for Church School Educators clearly indicate that the MUT does not have a majority of the educators it purports to represent as its members  

The MUT official website claimed that 382 members were entitled to vote for the agreement whereas, according to the official website of the Archidiocese of Malta, the effected employees amounted to 3,200 educators. Under the best hypothesis, the MUT holds only approximately 12% regularly paid up membership of the educators included in the agreement. 

“A straightforward calculation would suggest that each Church School would have approximately seven MUT members, including administrative staff.“

The UPE notes that this is not the first instance where the MUT was allowed to represent employees when it does not enjoy the confidence of the majority as its members. Last year, the MUT was permitted to sign the Sectoral Agreement for State School Educators even though official figures once again indicated that the MUT only had approximately 20% of the effected employees as fully paid up members. 

Let’s be clear: 12% should never decide for 100%. Whether in Church or State schools, workers deserve unions that truly represent them. When institutions ignore this basic principle of majority, trust crumbles.