Physiotherapists' and pharmacists' industrial action suspended

Industrial action by physiotherapists and pharmacists in the Health Department has been suspended by their unions with immediate effect.

Health minister Chris Fearne announced on twitter this morning that the industrial action was suspended by their unions, the Medical Association of Malta and The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses.

Industrial action in the #health department by #physiotherapists and #pharmacists suspended by thier unions with immediate effect. Many thanks for cooperation from all involved.

— Chris Fearne (@chrisfearne) February 1, 2018

Physiotherapists were to take industrial action on Monday, after the failure to start discussions over a new sectorial agreement for Allied Health Professions.

The sectoral agreement concerned their pay, continuous professional development and conditions of work.

The action would have included no participation in ward rounds, multidisciplinary team meetings or outpatient classes at Mater Dei Hospital, and no answering of pagers or e-mails at the Accident and Emergency Department.

The dispute, registered for physiotherapists employed by the public service, Vitals Global Healthcare and the Foundation for Medical Services, were to turn into directives next week if the union was not given a date to start negotiations by Friday.

The action was to be spread across Mater Dei Hospital, the Gozo General Hospital, Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital, the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, St Vincent de Paul Residence, the Child Development Assessment Unit, health centres and the Commcare unit.

The suspension of this action suggests that the dispute has been settled.

READ MORE: Doctors’ union to launch widespread industrial action against Steward transfer

In a widespread industrial action this week, the nurses assigned to Mater Dei Hospital’s main operating theatres will also strike on Monday, unless 20 additional staff members are deployed to address the staff shortage.

200 nurses are to strike on Monday between 7am and 7pm in the registered industrial dispute. 

Industrial directives by nurses and midwives at the Gozo General Hospital have also been called off after a meeting was held on Thursday between Fearne, Steward Healthcare president Armin Ernst - the former Vitals CEO - and other health care officials.