Nurses' union warns of 'harsh' action

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses is threatening to take industrial action at St Vincent De Paul Residence (SVPR) unless concrete steps are taken by its personnel section "to manage things better".

The union said yesterday it had lost its patience with the SVPR and if the situation failed to change by Friday it would register an industrial dispute.

The union said it has already written to the director of the Department for the Elderly and Community Services to inform it that unless the situation was remedied it would take "harsh" action.

For years the union said it had insisted with the department to ensure that the personnel section would stop creating tension among the nurses working at SVPR.

It pointed out that apart from issuing incorrect salaries, this section had also failed to brief nurses on the updated records of time off in lieu and vacation leave.

"The union is also informed that whenever the nurses have tried to address the situation they were either finding the door closed or were being met with arrogance. It seems this section will only work properly if there is pressure from the union," it said.