Nurses' union takes judicial action against former council member

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has filed a judicial protest against former council member Corinne Ward asking her to withdraw allegations which it felt were aimed to harm the union and its leadership.

The union called on Ms Ward to desist from continuing to harm the MUMN, saying it would be holding her responsible if she did not stop.

After resigning from the council last week, Ms Ward claimed that a government grant of thousands of euros had never been mentioned during council meetings. She said she had only learnt about it after a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi just before March's general election.

Her comments followed a row between the union and a group of former council officials, which was formed last month after the MUMN ordered hard-hitting directives after a dispute with the authorities.

The group is now collecting signatures for a vote of no-confidence in the union leadership, and former union vice-president Tommy Dimech, who is heading the group, yesterday said more than 200 signatures have been collected so far.

In its protest, presented by lawyer Chris Cilia, the union said the allegations and their timing were clearly intended to harm the union as part of an orchestrated effort aimed at undermining its credibility and good reputation.

It asked why Ms Ward was making the allegations now, months after the meeting with Dr Gonzi, during which she claimed to have learnt about the grant.

Moreover, the union said the grant was no secret pact since it was put in writing in a document annexed to the collective agreement signed between the government and the union in October last year.

It said it was inexplicable and incredible how a person who was a member of the union's council was trying to convince people it was unaware of the contents of the collective agreement, which had been discussed by the council before being signed.

It added that the council had provided the government with a detailed study about the need for the grant, which was intended to market the nursing profession. It also said the union had always administered its funds transparently and in the interest of its members.