Malta, EPSU Collective Bargaining News

Social workers organised by the UHM Voice of the Workers trade union have been taking industrial action in support of negotiations for a new collective agreement. The action consists of a range of measures that affect non-emergency work across the service but it maybe stepped up if there is no progress in the negotiations. With many staff leaving the service, the union is looking for a deal to increase pay but also to provide continuing professional development.

(September 2016) The GWU general union and MUMN nurses' union have both signed agreements with the government providing guarantees on pay and conditions and collective agreements applying to workers affected by a public-private partnership covering three hospitals. The workers affected will remain government employees.

The GWU declared a dispute with the government last month over grading of immigration officers. From 5 October the union organised a go-slow of immigration officers to put pressure on the government to resolve the dispute after “the government failed to honour its commitment to discuss their work structure”. The GWU said that there was a dire need for a grade structure to be put in place since those involved were facing difficulties. The go-slow was set to involve immigration booths opening half an hour late while immigration officers have been ordered not to wear their uniform, not to answer

The government has proposed extending rights for working parents, currently enjoyed in the civil service, right across the public sector. The minimum legal provision of three months' leave and time off for emergencies was much improved by negotiation in the civil service where 12 months of parental leave is available and civil servants have the right to work shorter hours until their children reach the age of 12. Private sector employers have reacted angrily to the proposals fearing that the government might extend them beyond the public sector. [Read more at > EIRO (EN)->http://www.eurofound