GWU will not take part in airport strike

General Workers' Union members would not take part in a total strike at Malta International Airport if the Union Haddiema Maghqudin were to go ahead with the threatened action, GWU section secretary Emanuel Zammit said yesterday.

Mr Zammit said such action at this delicate stage of negotiations over the collective agreement would do more harm than good. The two unions enjoy joint recognition at MIA.

On Saturday, the UHM announced that if no agreement was reached over a new shift system during a meeting between the union and the airport management yesterday, it would order a paralysing strike at the airport. The MIA management is due to introduce the new system today.

However, Mr Zammit yesterday called for the meetings between the three parties to go on in order to reach an agreement on the collective agreement for 2004 to 2006. The shift system forms part of it.

He described the agreement as "very important" in view of changes in the aviation industry: negotiations were difficult because the aviation sector worldwide was going through a restructuring process.

The issue in question revolves around the fact that only about 30 per cent of air traffic takes place at night, and MIA wants to reduce the number of night workers and increase the number of day workers. Mr Zammit said the company had the right to change the shifts after consultation with the unions.

He appealed for "maturity to prevail" and no rash action to be taken that could hinder progress.

He said that if a strike were called by the UHM, the GWU would instruct its members to work in a "disciplined and responsible way". GWU members would not be strike-breakers, but they would still report for work.

No negotiations could take place between the UHM and the MIA management if the GWU were not present, he stressed.

UHM deputy general secretary Joe Grillo described yesterday's meeting between the union and MIA chief executive officer Peter Bolech as a "brainstorming session" in which no negotiations took place. He said the issue was discussed in principle and there was "indicative progress" and a "basis for an agreement".

Mr Grillo said the union was waiting for the company to get back to it with its decision.

Commenting on Mr Zammit's remark that an action at this point would do more harm than good, Mr Grillo said every action brought about a reaction, and that was the reason behind yesterday's brainstorming session.