Airport ramp workers who two years ago formed a house union called Rampa Union yesterday asked Malta International Airport to hold a secret ballot to determine union recognition.

The Rampa Union said it, not the Union Haddiema Maghqudin or the General Workers' Union, represented the majority of workers and should, therefore, be recognised by MIA.

The union reserved the right to take any action, including legal, against the company, it said.

Contacted yesterday, an MIA spokesman said the union had twice asked for recognition and was twice told in writing to prove that it represented most workers. It said that from the union membership fees collected by the management and passed on to the respective unions, it did not result to be the case.

"Both the GWU and the UHM agreed to a joint recognition considering their number of members. If the Rampa workers are able to prove otherwise, we have no problem awarding them recognition," the spokesman said, adding this was the first time the union was asking for a secret ballot.

"There are some 250 unionised ramp workers at the MIA and according to our records, the Rampa workers rank way behind the other unions," the spokesman said.