Wednesday, 18th June 2008

Union threatens industrial action

The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin is threatening to issue directives to Mater Dei Hospital's bio-medical engineering staff unless an outstanding dispute is resolved during a meeting with the health authorities scheduled for tomorrow.

The secretary of the UĦM's government workers' section, Edwin Balzan explained that the dispute revolves around the distribution of technical support staff working grades and the filling of a number of vacancies. He said the issue had been pending for a year.

The union said yesterday it was giving the health authorities an ultimatum until Tuesday to find a solution, after which it would order industrial actions.

Mr Balzan said it had not yet been decided what actions would be ordered.

When contacted, the health authorities would only say that a meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.