The General Workers Union yesterday accused Health Minister Louis Deguara of politicising an industrial dispute, solely because the union involved is the GWU.

The union reiterated that it lifted its industrial action at government hospitals and health centres on Thursday out of goodwill so that negotiations could go ahead.

However, the GWU said, the government would not budge on a proposed allowance system even after the union had shelved its proposal to review salary scale 13 for nursing aides. The union said the government’s intractable position left no options for it but to call for renewed industrial action, which could last until 26 August as union officials will be on vacation

Although the government does not think anyone is entitled to go on vacation, the union said its officials are quite willing to attend meetings that would really solve the problem. The union added that the government’s arrogant attitude in its regard is not paving the way to find a solution to this impasse.

The union said the government had discussed GWU’s proposals with another union (Union Haddiema Maghqudin) and claimed they had reached an agreement. This only served to split the workers, as the workers affiliated to the GWU had not approved the solution put forward by the minister.

To this end, the Government and Public Entities section has petitioned officially for sole recognition to represent nursing aides.