Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has a "different interpretation" on the position held by the Medical Association of Malta's (MAM) that government broke its collective agreement with the union. He was fielding questions from the press on various issues while at the opening of the new Crane Currency factory in Hal Far.

MAM issued a one-day strike directive on Tuesday after discussions with the government failed to satisfy concerns. MAM registered a dispute after it stated at the government broke its collective agreement by failing to inform the union and get its consent on the concession transfer between Vitals Global Healthcare and Steward Healthcare.

Last year, government announced that a 30-year concession has been awarded to Vitals for operations and maintaining of three state hospitals: Karen Grech Hospital, St Luke's Hospital and Gozo General Hospital. In December 2017, it was announced that Vitals, which previously had no track record in the medical industry, sold the concession to Boston based Steward Healthcare for an undisclosed sum. MAM quoted from its collective agreement where it states the union must be informed, and give its consent, 6 weeks prior to such a deal being carried out.

In comments to this newsroom, MAM general secretary Martin Balzan said that government also has an agreement not to privatize Mater Dei Hospital and Sir Anthony Mamo oncology centre. He questioned that since government "rode roughshod" over the MAM agreement, how can the union be comfortable that it won't do the same for other agreements?

Asked about this, the PM said that he has a "different interpretation" of the collective agreement, meaning he does not agree that the government broke its terms.

"This is another issue we have to sit down and discuss, but I am sure we will come to an understanding." 

Video: Michael Camilleri