Long-running disputes

The Union Haddiema Maghqudin said yesterday it had a number of long-running disputes with the health department.

The union said it had a dispute over its claim for an allowance to ambulance drivers and over an 'incentive allowance' for cleaners at Mount Carmel and Boffa Hospitals. The incentive allowance was to have been paid according to an agreement reached with the department, but no payments had been made.

It said that talks had not started yet on sectoral agreements for workers in the paramedical grades, pharmacy technicians and ECG technicians, even though such talks should have started a year ago and had to be concluded last January.

The union said it planned to hold meetings for its members over the issues.