Malta’s Nurses Are Striking Because Of ‘Crap’ Food At Mater Dei Canteen
Nurses at Mater Dei have gone on strike in protest at the quality of food being offered to them at the staff canteen.
As of this morning, nurses have been instructed by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) to remain in their wards and not to accompany patients to operating theatres. Times of Malta reported that this has forced the postponement of up to eight operations as of 8am today but that emergency operations are still taking place.
The issue first cropped up back in June when Mater Dei revamped its staff canteen menu, removing unhealthy food such as pastizzi, soft drinks, chocolate and fried food as part of a health drive among its employees. However, this proved controversial, with several doctors and nurses denying the quality of the new menu.
MUMN president Paul Pace told Times of Malta that the food on offer is “crap” and that the union is now demanding the hospital provide nurses with a small meal allowance, enough for them to buy a tuna roll and a bottle of water. However, a meeting between the union and the Health Department yesterday ended in disagreement, prompting the union to issue its directives.
Mater Dei CEO Ivan Falzon accused the MUMN of conducting disproportionate action, warning that people who have been waiting several months for an operation will now suffer a further setback.
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