Nurses’ union apologises to patients as it says strike was a ‘total success’

Widespread industrial action by nurses on Thursday was a “total success”, their union said, apologising to patients impacted by the directives. The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses ordered industrial action at Mater Dei and other hospitals, health centres and elderly homes following a breakdown of negotiations with the government on a new sectoral agreement. They were joined by nursing aides and other health workers, who were ordered by the General Workers’ Union not to perform tasks usually carried out under the supervision of a nurse. MUMN general secretary Colin Galea told the Times of Malta the union was satisfied with the implementation of the industrial action but had not yet had any further contact from the government on the new agreement. The union, he said, had received indications that the Health Ministry was awaiting feedback from the Finance Ministry on the way forward. “These directives naturally have an impact on the patients, which is why they are a last resort,” Mr Galea said. “We spent eight months waiting to start discussions on the sectoral agreement and another seven months negotiating. We apologise to all patients for the inconvenience but our work is...