UHM files counter-protest against health department heads

Josef Vella, as Secretary General of UHM, and Union representative Gian Paul Gauci today filed a judicial protest, arguing that the UHM always acted in the best interest of its members.

The judicial protest was aimed at countering claims filed by ten Head of Departments within the Health Department saying that the collective agreement, signed between the UHM and the health authorities in February 2013, went against their interests.

In today’s counter-protest, Vella and Gauci said that the Union had held adequate meetings with its members to discuss the proposals for the collective agreement. “The majority of members had agreed with our proposals during such meetings”, the protest read.

Furthermore the Union denies that the new collective agreement impinges on the rights and interests of the Departmental Heads. The agreement signed in 2013 guarantees that union members are treated equally and are given the same opportunities to better their grades, through a democratic and transparent process. Through the same agreement, a number of managers will see a raise of €2000 annually in allowances and promotions.

Both Vella, and Gauci argued that they would hold the ten Head of Departments responsible for any damages which could result from their actions.

Lawyer Ian Spiteri Bailey signed the counter-protest.