Nurses set to strike today after MUMN and government fail to reach agreement

Nurses are set to strike today after an agreement between the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) and the government has not been reached, The Malta Independent has learnt.

Contacted by this newsroom MUMN General Secretary Colin Calleja said that although discussions are at an advanced stage, an agreement was yet to be reached.

Calleja added at all MUMN members have been advised to follow the directives that union issued last Thursday.

The directives are comprehensive and wide-reaching, and include measures related to the washing of patients, the answering of patients’ calls and the transfer of patients for elective operations unless it is for mothers scheduled for a caesarean section.

The strike comes at time where the union has described the government of having a lack of sensitivity towards the situation of nurses and midwives in Malta and Gozo.

The union was also prompted by the government not heeding a number of the Union’s demands, specifically those related to an Early Retirement Scheme, nursing premiums and some salary compensations.

The nursing force is facing major shortages, according to the union, specifically within Mount Carmel Hospital; and the ITU and operating theatres within Mater Dei, where several operations being cancelled.

Last February and October, MUMN industrial action took place over the conditions of work within St. Vincent De Paul Hospital; while the Medical Association of Malta also called a strike last February, over the transfer of St. Luke’s Hospital, Karen Grech, and Gozo General Hospital to Steward Healthcare from Vitals Global Healthcare.

The General Workers Union yesterday said it had told nursing aides and other health care workers not to perform any duties that are usually assigned to nurses and not to carry out duties that are normally supervised by nurses.

The directives are to be followed by all workers in the grades of Nursing Aide, Health Assistant, Careworker, Assistant Care Worker, Social Assistant and other grades related to patient care, including contractor employees.

Works that are usually supervised by nurses will be carried out if they are supervised by professionals who assume full responsibility, the GWU said.