UHM Voice of the Workers has today escalated a series of industrial actions involving more than 1,300 workers in light of what the union said is “the Government’s behaviour in not wanting to address issues that have been pending for several years while not keeping its word on agreements reached months ago.”

These actions involve Allied health professionals, emergency ambulance responders and Steward Health Care employees.

Therefore, the union said that as from 8am this morning these workers will only perform duties related to Covid-19, emergencies and cancer patients.

The UHM stated that it hopes that it will not have to continue escalating the actions of these workers to have what is theirs by right.

With regards to Allied health professionals, last year the UHM said that it and the government had signed a collective agreement after three years of negotiations in which the government had agreed to pay the arrears for 2019 and address issues regarding seniority. “However, the government for some reason has not kept its word on this and does not want to carry out what was agreed in writing.”

Emergency ambulance responders – the unions said that in in July 2019, the union submitted its proposals based on the principle of giving dignity to these front liners and creating a structure for further learning.

“The lack of action by the government led to the ordering of industrial actions last July. They were suspended after a few weeks as a sign of goodwill by the UHM after the government agreed to start talks. That was all in vain, after the government informed the union that there was no room for discussion,” it said.

UHM stated that “after more than 18 months, the government is still refusing to discuss a new collective agreement despite being obliged to respect the social dialogue process.”

Steward Health Care employees – the union explained that in July 2019 the UHM requested for them to be absorbed by the government as they were doing the same work as government employees, but without the same conditions are regards pay etc.

Following weeks of industrial action, the union said that the government undertook in writing to accede to this request – to receive equal pay with effect from 1st of January.

“Although the the government promised to carry out this process by the end of December, and was given a chance by the end of January to honour this agreement, it has failed to keep its word, and as a result the UHM having to resort to industrial actions.

Photo by Anthony Zammit

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