A note from the General Secretary

A new MUMN Council is elected for the next four years. I would like to thank Simon Vella and Ronnie Frendo who will not form part of this Council but have heartedly strived to better the conditions of work of our members during these last four years. On the other hand, I most welcome Alexandra Abela Fiorentino and Joseph Aquilina as new Council Members. I promise all the support needed so that we all work as a team moving forward to one direction.

These last four years were really hectic. The shortage is always a struggle. As a result, the daily compliment is always an issue thus creating hurdles to avail the vacation leave and study leave. Besides this ongoing problem, situation was getting worse. Then we had our first person infected locally. We were bound to encourage our nurses to offer their care but at the same moment, this care needed to be delivered in a safely environment needed but we are on the right track. still far away from what is needed to when no progress will be registered, in this way we can improve our working about what is occurring at MUMN in the coming days.

Another milestone was the opening of our new offices. Twenty six years ago we started by renting a garage which we had converted into a boardroom and a front office. Few years after we moved to a four room apartment in Swatar. In 2008 we moved to Mosta to a spacious apartment. Now this last move, where we have appropriate state of the art facilities in Qormi. MUMN is the largest union by far in the health sector and the fourth largest union in the country. These premises are today a mirror of what MUMN stands for.

At the moment we are in the middle of two sectoral agreements – ECG Technicians and Nurses & Midwives. Discussions on the former are quite advanced. More negotiations are needed but we are on the right track. Regarding the latter, the situation is more complicated. Although steps forward have been registered, we are still far away from what is needed to solve the nurses’ shortage. MUMN Council will continue to negotiate but when no progress will be registered, action will come into play. We were already on the verge of holding a press conference and starting directives but were cancelled on the last hour as new counter proposals were conveyed to us. It is important to stick together as only in this way we can improve our working conditions and salary package.

The Learning Institute of Health Care Professionals are delivering several professional development events. We are taking the opportunity to organise events of a substantial crowd, now that we have the appropriate facilities. The monthly seminars are increasing in their popularity. Hundred delegates attend each one and this number will increase in the coming months. We are planning to organise a day conference on the 13th of October in Gozo.

The Learning Institute of Health Care Professionals are delivering several are taking the opportunity to organise events of a substantial crowd, now that we have the appropriate facilities. in their popularity. Hundred delegates increase in the coming months. We are planning to organise a day conference on the 13th of October in Gozo.

You will be receiving more information about what is occurring at MUMN in the coming days.

Colin Galea General Secretary