`Positive` meeting between minister and nurses` union

A one-hour meeting between the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses and Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi on the Industrial Relations Bill was positive, the union`s general secretary, Colin Galea said yesterday.

"It seems the MUMN`s proposals on the Industrial Relations Bill have been given due consideration by the government," he said.

The points highlighted by the union focused on the right to hold a sympathy strike, the number of nurses and midwives who must report to work to offer essential services during a strike and during industrial action and the right of managers to join a trade union.

"The minister has informed us that the number of nurses and midwives considered to be performing essential services as indicated in the draft law has been reduced considerably.

"Now we will have to see what this means when the bill starts being debated in parliament. However, Dr Gonzi has made it clear he has left all the doors open for suggestions," Mr Galea said.

Another facet of the Industrial Relations Bill discussed related to the Joint Negotiating Council on which only the General Workers` Union and the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions are represented.

"The MUMN feels it should be able to use the council as another negotiating tool," Mr Galea said.

The MUMN also brought up the need to resolve the acute shortage of supporting staff at St Vincent de Paul residence for the elderly.

Mr Galea said Dr Gonzi had taken a personal interest in this problem and there would soon be a public call for applications for care workers at St Vincent de Paul.