MUMN ready for talks, but refuses to lift industrial action

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) said today that it is ready to hold meetings with the government on their current disputes, but it is not prepared to lift industrial action.

The Ministry of Health in statements earlier this week had said that industrial action needs to be called off before meetings are held.

But the MUMN said it is not prepared to accept any conditions by the government, more so because when it lifted industrial action four months ago following a promise of fortnightly meetings, only one meeting was held.

The union also warned that unless meetings are held over the coming week, it will order even more action.

The MUMN has ordered industrial action at Mater Dei and Mt Carmel hospitals as well as health centres, protesting over a shortage of over 500 nurses and an inadequate intake of students to the nursing course.