Industrial action by health workers averted

Industrial action by about 1,000 health workers scheduled for Monday was averted during a high-level meeting last night between Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin top officials and the authorities when the union called off the directives.

The action would have affected hospitals, health centres and homes for the elderly.

The meeting was attended by, among others, Social Policy Minister John Dalli, Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar, union president Gejtu Tanti and secretary general Gejtu Vella. Speaking to The Times after the meeting, health services section secretary Joe Bonello described the meeting as a good one, saying that all pending issues have now been put on the table.

Another meeting is scheduled for next Wedneseday. Mr Dalli told the union to inform him if they have any other problems.

The main bone of contention was the failure to reach an amicable solution with the authorities over the state of the ambulance garage and on agreements reached for paramedics and support staff.

Paramedics and health inspectors were not to use telephones, e-mail or pagers while laboratory scientists working at the mortuary will not do any court-related work.

Ambulance drivers had been ordered not to take any orders except those coming from Mater Dei Hospital's Casualty Department.

Nursing aides, health assistants, carers and assistant carers working at Mater Dei Hospital, St Vincent de Paul Residence, Boffa Hospital and Mount Carmel Hospital were not to answer the telephone, not to move from the ward they were assigned to - including to accompany patients - and not to help in the distribution of food.

Those working in homes for the elderly had been ordered not to answer telephones or accompany patients outside the home. Staff in government health centres or the outpatients' department were not to use computers or move from one place to another.