Industrial action was looming at the law courts over long-standing issues, including the poor quality of uniforms provided to staff members, the Times of Malta was told.
An industrial dispute was registered after about 60 workers said complaints about the quality of the uniforms fell on deaf ears.
The workers signed a petition in December raising the issue. Some reported effects on their skin, which, they claimed, was because the uniforms were of an inferior quality. The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin intervened on the workers’ behalf but it said little progress was registered.
Complaints about the quality of the uniforms fell on deaf ears
Things started moving soon after the Times of Malta sent questions to the Justice Ministry on Wednesday and the union was summoned for a meeting.
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said he was informed of ongoing discussions between the two sides.
In a letter addressed to law courts director general Frankie Mercieca, the workers said the uniforms were inadequate for the sort of job they did, that women were given uniforms designed for men and that the supplier often delivered the wrong sizes.
They also complained about lack of proper clothing when they had to perform duties outdoors.
Their workplaces lacked proper health and safety standards, they added.
UĦM assistant director Edwin Balzan confirmed that an industrial dispute had been registered and that notice of directives had been given. However, the directives were temporarily suspended in view of the fact that management called a meeting for next week to discuss the matter. He said the pending issues had been unresolved for far too long, adding workers’ patience was running out.
This newspaper has also learnt that, last month, the union threatened to grind operations at the law courts to a halt in connection with a dispute over a new collective agreement for deputy registrars. Negotiations had been pending since 2013 but little headway was made despite ministerial intervention.
Things started moving after a news item appeared in the Times of Malta.