A strike by ambulance drivers at Mater Dei Hospital was called off yesterday after the union was informed that a meeting with the health authorities was to be held later this week.

Ambulance drivers were all set to take industrial action from tomorrow in protest against the "disorganisation" at the ambulance garage, UĦM health section secretary Joe Bonello told The Times.

But after discussing the issue with the Management and Personnel Office and the health authorities, the union called off the strike pending another meeting this week.

Earlier, Mr Bonello had said that the union was calling for clear guidelines as to who was in charge of the garage. The current system was disorganised with the drivers getting instructions from different people.

The union had directed drivers from tomorrow not to follow any orders except those from Mater Dei's Casualty Department.

In its reaction, the Health Division said it could not understand why the union issued directives when it was informed yesterday morning that internal discussions about the problems faced by workers were being finalised.

In fact the division was concluding its internal discussions before submitting its proposals to the union.

The division said the next step is for it to meet Mr Bonello.