The M.U.T. : a case study of a professional association

Abstract

This dissertation explores how the M. U. T. emerged amidst the social distress of the twentieth century. From its inception the Union took a dual role: to improve the welfare of the teaching staff and to promote the educational system of Malta. Then, we analysed why the Colonial Government took twenty four years to concede the M.U.T. official recognition, what where the factors which altogether helped the Union obtain official recognition, and we also set to explore the gains the Union achieved through official recognition. Besides being a professional association, the M. U. T. is also a trade union. Although some may argue that there exists a dichotomy, we have concluded that throughout the years the M. U. T. has always tried to combine the activities and services of a professional organization and a trade union. The Union, having the support of the majority of the teaching staff acquired power, and a case in point was shown during the events of the 1984 strike. We focused on this happening, because while it is a recent event, it offered us an excellent case of teacher militancy. Finally, this dissertation focuses on how the M.U.T. will continue to make an important contribution to the development of the educational system and to teachers' working conditions. It is important to note that this dissertation does not provide . the reader with a chronological account of the history of the M. U. T. since we have selected certain highlights of the Union's history and discussed these in view of the underlying themes.