‘We have given a proposal for a solution’ MAM

The Medical Association of Malta yesterday presented a “proposal for a solution” when it met Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, General Secretary Martin Balzan has told The Malta Independent.

Balzan would not divulge what the proposal entailed, explaining that he did not want to compromise the current state of negotiations. Industrial action will be stopped until the government gives its reply in a meeting to be held next week.

Asked whether he believed the discussions could reach a successful conclusion or if further industrial action will be called, Balzan insisted that MAM’s principles behind their concerns remained the same, and that “all options remain open”.

PM has ‘different interpretation’

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has a “different interpretation” on the position held by the Medical Association of Malta’s that government broke its collective agreement with the union. He was fielding questions from the press on various issues while at the opening of the new Crane Currency factory in Hal Far.

In comments to this newsroom, MAM general secretary Martin Balzan said that government also has an agreement not to privatise Mater Dei Hospital and Sir Anthony Mamo oncology centre. He questioned that since government “rode roughshod” over the MAM agreement, how can the union be comfortable that it won’t do the same for other agreements?

Asked about this, the PM said that he has a “different interpretation” of the collective agreement, meaning he does not agree that the government broke its terms.

“This is another issue we have to sit down and discuss, but I am sure we will come to an understanding.”