After months of discussions and negotiations, consensus has been reached on the collective agreement for the employees of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority. The negotiations were carried out between representatives of the Authority, the Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, Union Haddiema Maghqudin and the Public Administration Collective Bargaining Unit at the Financial Policy and Management Division within the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Investment.
The formal signing of the agreement took place at OHSA’s premises in Pieta’. The agreement covers the period between 1 January 2012 and the end of December 2016. It includes improved general terms and conditions of employment such as hours of work, salaries, leave and disciplinary action, among others, and complements the various administrative provisions of the OHS Authority Act 2000.
Speaking after the event, Dr Mark Gauci, chief executive officer of OHSA, said that work on a revised agreement commenced towards the end of 2010, and although a number of meetings had to be held, there was always a commitment, shown by all parties involved in the discussions to offer a suitable employment package for the authority’s employees.
“The negotiations were tough, yet we were very pleased to note that they were always conducted in a cordial atmosphere. With the signing of this collective agreement, we have renewed confidence that this will result in an improved output from OHSA’s employees,” Dr Gauci said. “It is of great satisfaction that the Union Haddiema Maghqudin concluded this collective agreement from which many benefits are achieved especially better working conditions including the financial package.”
Speaking after the event Gian Paul Gauci Health Services Section secretary thanked both the Public Administration Collective Bargaining Unit and the Management of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority for the cordial and productive meetings held whereby these meeting concluded in an improvement in various working conditions to the OHSA employees which vary from improved family friendly conditions to better financial packages.