Nurses issue industrial action warning

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has declared an industrial dispute at Zammit Clapp Hospital and warned the government it will issue directives for industrial action by all nurses from April 21.

The union said the dispute was over the failure of the Treasury to grant an increase to the nursing premium in terms of an agreement reached with the Health Department.

Nurses and midwives are this year due to receive an increase of €582.34 (Lm250) on their nursing premium. The first payment was issued in February but the union said it had been informed that the second, due this month would not be issued.

The MUMN said it could not accept that what was laid down in the agreement was not given to its members because of bureaucracy or antiquated systems.

The union also complained of staff shortages and said another pending issue was over the meals given to nurses at Mater Dei Hospital, about which the union will declare its position shortly.

Comments

Noel Cutajar (on 9/4/08)

Was it not the first Union that came out in the open to congratulate the new government?....and now?

A Daley (on 8/4/08)

Ma hemmx flus, cause the economy is doing very well! Ha Haj! Why don't the nurses go on strike like the doctors did in the late 70s? Besides, is that all that nurses were going to get? A miserable Lm250? No wonder they are leaving the Island. No problem though, we will soon be importing Philippino nurses and guess what? They speak very good Maltese! Ha ha, what a farce, what a farce! Let us enjoy what we like best. SWAT! This Govt. is weak and this is the appropriate time that we can get what is ours by right to get closer to EU professionals! Isn't that why we voted to join the EU? Isn't that what we were promised?

John Simpson (on 8/4/08)

Sorry! In Malta Christmas comes every five years, now you have to wait.(as long as we get your vote)