Cynthia Busuttil
Ex-MUMN council member says she was unaware of government grant
A former official of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses claimed yesterday that a government grant of thousands of euros had never been mentioned during council meetings.
Corinne Ward, who resigned from the council last week, said she only learned that the union was being given the money after a meeting between the union and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi just before March's general election.
"The council never discussed this money or how we were going to spend it. We did not even know about it," she said.
According to a Health Ministry spokesman, the union was given about €58,000 every two years for the next 10 years for training purposes. This was part of the collective agreement signed last year, which had been dubbed by former Health Minister Louis Deguara as "historic".
Union president Paul Pace would not comment on Ms Ward's claims, saying only that he would not divulge issues discussed within the union's council. He would not even confirm whether the union had been given the money.
This was the latest twist in a row between the union and a recently formed group of former council officials, which saw its birth last month after the MUMN ordered hard-hitting directives following a dispute with the authorities.
Yesterday, the union said it had replaced Ms Ward and Ray Chetcuti, who resigned from the council earlier this week. The new officials are midwife Antoniette Saliba and nursing officer Mario Aquilina.
It also said the council unanimously decided not to waste its energy in bickering with those who were trying to damage the union and alienate its members from existing problems.
Meanwhile, the new group, led by former union vice-president Tommy Dimech, yesterday started collecting signatures for a vote of no confidence in the current union leadership.
"We have had a very good response from nurses," Mr Dimech said, although he was unable to say how many signatures had been collected.
MUMN general secretary Colin Galea said he was seeking legal advice because those collecting signatures were not telling nurses why they were doing so.
In fact, he said, some nurses who signed the petition had asked to have their names removed.
This was denied by Mr Dimech, who insisted that nurses had been informed that the signatures were being collected to call an extraordinary general meeting at which a motion of no confidence in the current union leadership would be moved.
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O. Aquilina
Dec 14th 2008, 18:17
Can't understand what good response these actors are having. Most nurses are letting these actors down. It seems that this Media Novela got lots of acts and twisted facts. A different act every two days with no continuation what so ever. Quite a Flop!!!!. It's a pity that we don't know who's writing this comedy. MUMN Keep up the good work and don't let people to distroy you.... YOU ACHIEVED ALOT.
Silvan Cutajar
Dec 13th 2008, 19:49
I am sure the current MUMN leadership will manage this struggle. Actually this effort by Cini will backfire showing he is weak. Surely not what he was hoping for in his run to MEP position!
P.Schembri
Dec 13th 2008, 19:19
@C. Camilleri. That is something which is not true. I'm sure about that because I was a nurse at that time. So what you are saying is not true. We were never given that kind of work in the wards. At that time there were the nursing aides and health assistants. It was their job, not the nurses. You are quite mistaken.
P.Schembri
Dec 13th 2008, 19:16
@A. Borg. I remember a certain minister proposing a law for thos who strike or be part of an industrial action be thrown in jail. How's that? Yes, I remember the collective agreements, wage freeze and everything. I didn't agree with the wage freeze. But look at it now, aren't we under a wage freeze under another form? Where are the wage increases today? No even the government is honouring the collective agreements because of the country's financial position. So what's new?
c.camilleri
Dec 13th 2008, 15:50
@ P Schembri. Dignity and respect for Midwives and Nurses( all workers) were only brought about after 1987. Before that date midwives and nurses were just treated as carers of sick people and with all that entails. They were even expected to wash the floor and windows. It was called flexibility at that time.
Carmel Saliba
Dec 13th 2008, 15:03
I hope that P Schembri is not a nurse because he is not in line with the nursing history in Malta.
Our group qualified as nurses in 1973 and we were employed two years later in 1975. There were others who had to wait more.
anthony borg
Dec 13th 2008, 14:27
@P Schembri You should be honest wih yourself. 1} Wage freeze for five years in those years, 2) Did you remember the call to give one day's work for the State?, 3) From 1987 onwards Govt. employees got collective agreements & promotions every 5 years , 4) Did you remember the threats for those who STRIKE (Imnarja, Banks, Govt. Garage Drivers) should I continue?
P.Schembri
Dec 13th 2008, 13:50
@Anthony Borg. Injustice when a nurse had a monthly pay of about Lm56 and up to 1980 risen to Lm400 monthly. Is that an injustice? Was it an injustice that a nurse from 22 days leave ended up in 1980 with 28 days leave? Of course there are more. Was it justice under the PN that holidays from nine ended up to 5 after much declarations of giving back the holidays. Was it an injustice that holidays which came on Saturdays and Sundays were given as leave, were taken away? Of course I could go on forever. But for you only under the MLP in Government there were injustices. Halluna tridu. Why not be honest with yourselves.
anthony borg
Dec 13th 2008, 13:24
Mr./ Ms I. Galea would you please tell us some injustices and threachery between 1971 and
1987? The young generation would like to hear them.
lgalea
Dec 13th 2008, 11:56
C.Mifsud
Against injustices and treachery, Mr/MsMifsud, against injustices and treachery.
C.Mifsud
Dec 13th 2008, 11:20
@Igalea
Politics has taken over your life. In every column you right against PN in favour of PL.
P.Schembri
Dec 13th 2008, 10:45
There are ways to destroy a union. This is one of them. Never thought that Mr. Cini would come to this. As President of the MUMN who was respected, but now he's destroying what he himself had worked to build so assiduously. The MUMN is the sacrificial lamb on the alter of politics. Mr. Cini for a moment of glory you're destroying 10 years of hardship in the Trade Unionism Arena. You're doing this for political differences not Union difference. Hope the members see this masquerade. Mr. Cini you're gaining respect on one side, but you're losing more on the other side. Do you want to be known as the one who destroyed the MUMN, practically your baby? Stop being a toy in the hands of politicians.
lgalea
Dec 13th 2008, 10:08
MUMN continue with your sterling work for the nurses, but be on your guard for Gonzipn fifth columnists.