MUBE – Brief History

Who is this Union?

M.U.B.E. stands for Malta Union of Bank Employees, formerly known as Movement of United Bank Employees and before that as Malta Union of Bankers.

The M.U.B.E. was registered on the 22^nd May 1972 at the Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions.  It was formed by a group of employees working at the National Bank of Malta, which is now Bank of Valletta plc, who were members of the General Workers Union.  These employees felt the need of a union which specifically defended the rights of a bank employee and so they decided to form their own house Union.  This Union was restricted solely to bank employees and thus the M.U.B.E. was born.  Employees at Barclays Bank, then Mid Med Bank Limited and now HSBC Bank Malta plc, then joined their colleagues at National Bank now Bank of Valletta plc and so did those employees at the Central Bank of Malta.  Eventually Lombard Bank employees also joined.  Later on when APS Bank was set up, employees there also joined this Union.  

The M.U.B.E. was instrumental in improving many of the conditions on bank employees and was never afraid to fight for the rights of its members, be it when the Banks were privately owned and also when state controlled.  Evidence to this is the fact that the M.U.B.E. was the first body in Malta which was successful in obtaining the rights for Maternity Leave which was later on followed by other organisations.

Why do the employees join the MUBE?

Employees need the Union for various reasons amongst which

• The MUBE is not afraid to speak out

• The MUBE will not manipulate its members for political reasons

• The MUBE is there to help and not let down its members

The above are confirmed by the contents of the Statute (Rules and Regulations)

The principle aim of the M.U.B.E. shall be to regulate relations between its members and their employers or employers’ associations.  It shall also be the aim of the M.U.B.E. to ameliorate the working conditions of all its members, and to obtain for its members by legal and constitutional means that standard of living compatible with their social standing.

The M.U.B.E. declares that it will do its utmost to protect and enhance the right of all its members.

As a democratic Union, which takes its authority from its members, the M.U.B.E. will, if required, hold consultations and collaborate with other free trade unions in all that is of national interest and for the common good of its members.

The M.U.B.E. believes in Industrial Democracy, which can be best achieved through Free Collective Bargaining.

The M.U.B.E. shall not be affiliated in any way to any political party.

The MUBE at present

The Union Headquarters now are at 10F, Dar Joe Rizzo, M A Vassalli Street, Valletta.  The number of members affiliated in the M.U.B.E. till today sums up to approximately 3000 members.  This is a very high membership when considering that the total number of employees in the Banking Sector adds up to circa 4000.

The M.U.B.E. enjoys full recognition in HSBC Bank Malta plc and  Bank of Valletta plc in the managerial and clerical categories.  Full recognition is enjoyed at Lombard Bank plc, HSBC Bank Home Loans (Malta) Ltd, and APS Bank Ltd in all categories.  At the Central Bank of Malta the M.U.B.E. is recognised in the executive grades.  This recognition warrants the exclusive bargaining powers, in the negotiating of the Collective Agreements with these banks in the executive and clerical sector.

The Collective Agreements negotiated by the M.U.B.E. can simply be described amongst the best in Malta, because only the best is good enough for our members.  Free-rider mentality exists, but free riders are not covered by Union protection when something goes wrong, and it often does.

The M.U.B.E. is one of the most organised and professional Unions on the island with close to 75% membership penetration in the clerical, signatory and managerial grades.  During the course of work in their banking career, employees are bound to encounter problems, which they might not be willing and/or able to solve themselves, for a number of reasons.  This is where the M.U.B.E. steps in.  M.U.B.E. members will be able to peruse the implementation and exercise of their rights and privileges, as a sacrosanct right to do so.  Members have access to continued advice from Union Headquarters on how to tackle a problem as and when they encounter it, giving them the possibility to avoid mistakes, before these actually happen.  Should any of our members be by-passed in a promotion exercise, their case is defended in a promotion grievance board.

Administration

Email: info@mube.org