The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has threatened to take industrial action as from Monday if issues pertaining to Mater Dei Hospital are not resolved.

It is not the first time, in recent years, that the MUMN has resorted to taking a militant stand. In the past, it was the General Workers’ Union which always went on the rampage each time a dispute broke out with the government. The MUMN, under the leadership of Paul Pace, has taken a leaf out of the GWU’s book in this respect.

We are in no doubt that the MUMN is working in the interest of its members. But it must also be pointed out that, too often, it has chosen the wrong way how to tackle prevailing situations. It is always ready to go on the warpath when it is probable that a solution could be found around a table.

It happened in the past at Mount Carmel Hospital. It has happened often at Mater Dei Hospital. And it is happening yet again.

The MUMN is refusing, so far, to sit on a task force that has been established by the government to try to find a solution to overcrowding problems at the hospital. It says it is doing so because the terms of reference are not long-term. Health Minister Joe Cassar said that he is prepared to change them because the MUMN should have its place in the task force. So far, the MUMN’s position has not changed.

It is ironic that the MUMN, on the one hand, is insisting that the federation of unions it forms part of, the Forum, should have a seat on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development because it wants to give a voice to its members, and is then refusing to take part in the task force proceedings. Doesn’t the MUMN want to give a voice to nurses on the task force?

It is a pity that the sterling work that nurses carry out with each and every patient is getting so much bad light because of the action that is taken by their union. It would be very interesting to know how many nurses actually support the militant stand that the MUMN is taking.

It is hoped that the MUMN will not translate its words into deeds. It is hoped that the MUMN realises that patients are the worse off when industrial action is taken in a hospital, the same patients that nurses are bound to assist at a time of great need.