'Conclude agreement by Wednesday or face strikes,' warns MUMN

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has formally threatened industrial action over what it says is the failure by the Director General of People and Standards in the Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary to conclude two sectorial agreements.

In a statement released this morning, the MUMN said it was “disgusted” by the lack of progress in talks with the directorate, which despite meeting with the union to discuss the sectorial agreement for Social Workers and ECG Technicians over three weeks ago, had not acted.

The union claims that no manner of reply or even acknowledgement of a letter it sent the directorate on December 6th has been received to date.

“It is clear that the MUMN is being sidelined and ignored,” General Secretary Colin Galea said. “This union is not going to accept this situation any longer. The MUMN has shown goodwill in this dispute many times, but the same cannot be said about this directorate.”

The trade union accused the Office of failing to appreciate the professional work done by the two categories of workers who, it said, often went beyond the call of duty to care for the sick.

Instead of encouraging these professionals to continue giving their all in the execution of their duties, it is strategically sidelining and ignoring these workers.

The MUMN gave notice that if it is not given an appointment in which to conclude the two sectoral agreements by Wednesday 14th December, the workers involved would begin industrial action, including strikes, from the day after, without giving further notice.