Industrial dispute in health sector resolved

In March 2009, the Union of United Workers (UHM) threatened a series of strikes in the health sector due to eight unsolved industrial disputes it had with the government’s Health Division. However, the matter was subsequently resolved after a meeting with the Minister of Finance held on 16 March 2009, thereby averting strike action. Under the agreement, the government promised to adopt measures seeking to resolve the issues raised by UHM.

Background

In 2007, after years of delays and controversies, Malta’s new public general hospital, the Mater Dei Hospital, was inaugurated and the work being carried out at the old Saint Luke’s Hospital was transferred to the new hospital. The substantial investment in the new hospital was meant to be accompanied by improved work practices. However, it appears that several categories of workers have experienced greater strain, particularly due to insufficient funds and ineffective managerial practices (MT0710019I, MT0812039I).

Disputed issues

On 4 March 2009, the Union of United Workers (Union Haddiema Maghqudin, UHM) organised a news conference at which it listed eight industrial disputes that it was having with the government’s Health Division. These comprised the following eight issues:

1. the pending promotion and recruitment of dentists, including the delayed implementation of the agreement signed on 4 March 2008;

2. excess pressure on electrocardiography (ECG) technicians at the Mater Dei Hospital who are working long hours;

3. payments outstanding for work carried out by paramedic aides in the Central Sterile Supply Department;

4. issues related to the management of the ambulance garage, including discrimination between porters who work at two different hospitals;

5. insufficient parking facilities for support staff at the Mater Dei Hospital;

6. food arrangements for the Mater Dei Hospital staff according to the agreement signed in February 2008;

7. the implementation of the collective agreement signed in December 2006, according to which paramedics were entitled to a continuous professional development allowance;

8. the implementation of the collective agreement in the grades of nursing aides, health assistants, care workers and assistant care workers.

In relation to the latter issue, UHM outlined that – as demanded by the government – the case was referred to a conciliator, through whom an agreement was reached. However, the government had still failed to implement the agreement.

Industrial action and subsequent resolution

During the news conference, the Secretary General of UHM, Gejtu Vella, warned that the trade union would have to call for a series of strikes in the whole health sector, acknowledging that such action would inevitably affect patients.

After the Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment failed to send a representative to the conciliation meeting held on 6 March, UHM threatened to strengthen its industrial action. Subsequently, on 16 March, it was reported that an agreement was reached following a meeting between UHM and the Minister of Finance, Tonio Fenech.

The agreement stipulates that:

• the government would issue a call for applications for four dental surgeons and four dental registrars by the end of March 2009;

• the government would confirm by the end of March 2009 that paramedic aides would be paid in line with the work they carried out between December 2007 and July 2008;

• the government would, within a month, report to the trade union about the action it was taking to resolve the employees’ parking issue;

• UHM will propose to the Health Division a new 42-hour weekly roster for porters at the ambulance garage;

• the government will honour the agreement signed in February 2008 on meals or an allowance to medical staff at the Mater Dei Hospital;

• the government will reply to the objections raised by UHM concerning tendering for clerical and reception employees and care workers;

• an annual allowance of €1,500 will be granted to nursing aides, health assistants, care workers and assistant care workers who had chosen to work in Category A – the allowance will be retroactive from 6 June 2008 and the staff will work a 43-hour week.

Commentary

The fact that the government appears to have delayed the implementation of several collective agreements is an issue of concern. Such practices do not foster the trust needed between the government, the social partners and civil society. These events demonstrate that, despite the opening of the modern Mater Dei Hospital, far more work needs to be done to improve the effectiveness of Malta’s health sector and, at the same time, to ensure that workers’ rights are being met.

Manwel Debono, Centre for Labour Studies