Cabin crew union warns Air Malta it will delay flights unless pay offer is improved

C. Vella

Jul 10th 2009, 12:54

Mr Jacobs ... REALITY CHECK on the way. The govenment is leeching every euro we own to subsidise RYANAIR. Therefore if the govenment has money to subsidise Air Malta's competitors why not increase the wages of the cabin crew?

Well done UCC.

Joe Fenech

Jun 19th 2009, 15:49

There's nothing wrong with Air Malta. It might be a bit 'folkloristic' and the food isn't 5star, but flights are pleasant and NOTHING to do with any low cost.

Stephen Grech

Jun 18th 2009, 18:08

Bravo Andrew Harding, would you happen to be Personell Manager.?
So you are telling me that no one has the right to fight for a pay rise, or better his working condition?.
Such comments are irresponsible by such characters who only know a fraction of the story.
Go and have a beer my friend.

Andrew Harding

Jun 18th 2009, 17:07

Simple answer to this, when the cabin crew turn up 2 hours late for work, then deduct two hours pay and discipline them for being late to work, keep doing this until either the staff back down or they turn up so many times late that they finally get sacked under Air Malta's disciplinary procedures, I am pretty sure that in Malta or even other parts of Europe that there are many non-militant individuals who would willingly take there places.

antonia Bartolo

Jun 18th 2009, 16:29

@ A.Abela When Ryanair cancel its flight unexpectedly, ask Air Malta to provide transport for you. You should be ashamed of yourself to try black list your national airline. No one is obliging you to fly with Air Malta but when problems arises and you find yourself stranded, wait at the airport without any information whatsoever how to get to your destination. It is not the first time that such a problem occurred. It was Air Malta who provided service in such circumtances.

A Abela

Jun 18th 2009, 13:50

These delays may be another reason to fly RYANAIR.

Francesca Abela

Jun 18th 2009, 11:58

Shirley Sammut and Sarah Galea. Since its inception I have preferred to travel on my national airline and thus support it. We all appreciate the valid work that all Air Malta staff do but I do feel that now is not the right time to press for pay rises. I know that saying if one is not happy at one's job one can always change is not the proper suggestion, but again, I say that Air Malta staff have to see the writing on the wall. What would they prefer that the Airline closes down or is privitised since it has been unprofitable for several years now ? Come on, if, as you say, you have waited so many years for the collective agreement to be finalised, surely waiting one more year is not going to make much difference. Make an effort and show us all that you really have Malta's good at heart and be the first to show that you want the best for Air Malta. I have been in circumstances when we had to make sacrifices at our place of work which was a private company the alternative being to just quit our job and find another.

Shirley Sammut

Jun 18th 2009, 10:40

Why are you people blaming the cabin crew??? There is another party involved here. Cabin crew collective agreement expired 5 years ago, discussions with the company have dragged on for almost 2 years without conclusion, other departments' agreements were concluded satisfactorily over a year ago, why not the cabin crew's??? Even now, the management is still putting off meetings till next week....who do you think cares more about its clients???

The UCC has always preferred the discussion approach with the company & action has rarely been taken....but its been YEARS now, way before the recession. Cabin crew have always been flexible and given up a lot for the company & its clients, way more than any of you know!!!

Everyone here seems to have perfect relationships with their company....how nice for you!!!

Henry Jacobs

Jun 18th 2009, 09:11

Yet again being the centre of the world we think that we can survive in isolation.
REALITY CHECK PLEASE - UCC look at the Industry abroad and act responsibly.
Is Airmalta doing so well that it can afford a 17% increase over 6 years? One should be discussing pay cuts like abroad.

joe scerri

Jun 18th 2009, 08:42

There are people working on a four day week, reduced pay or even without a job here. I am sure the UCC will not be getting much sympathy. Under the current global crisis they should remember the Maltese saying "Iddardarx l-ghajn li trid tixrob minnha"

Sarah Galea

Jun 18th 2009, 08:35

Can you all stop it for once, I am sure if you were in the same position of the cabin crew you would do all the same, or you're all employees that you want to take all the rights to the workers. Do you know that the crew had an MOU for at least 3 years so that they help Airmalta so they done their share already, do you know that they work odd hours and not sitting their as__s playing solitaires until time passes from 8 till 5pm, so I think it is about time that the crew has a pay rise they work on a plane on a tube that if it has an electrical failure they have to say goodbye but luckily GOD was always there with them. Fight for your rights crews & good luck
Sarah

Stephanie Farrugia

Jun 18th 2009, 08:25

Out come the pious bloggers! why dont you all work a whole month for free just to help the economy! I m sure you would all fall over yourselves to be the first to work with no pay!

Alfred Bugeja

Jun 18th 2009, 07:15

I was just watching Sky News this morning and I found it ironic that one of the headlines read that British Airways has struck a deal with its pilots union for a REDUCTION in pay. And it's worth reminding that BA is not an airline that has been in the red for almost a decade, like Air Malta.

I think the cabin crew union needs to get a reality check and realise that now is not the time to ask for a pay rise, unless they do not intend finding themselves out of a job in a jiffy...

Ms. P.M. Graham

Jun 18th 2009, 06:51

"The union said its industrial action so far had been aimed at raising public awareness of the problem faced by the cabin crew, without creating major inconveniences."

All it has done so far has made the public angry!!

"The union warned that unless Air Malta improved its offer by Friday, it would order its members to report for work two hours late on Saturday. This, the union said, might not be a one-time action."

Well someone is not using the brain cells they were given are they??

" Improve the offer by Friday..... or report for work two hours late the NEXT day"

yet again affecting paying customers and NOT Air Malta pockets!! If the powers that be want to take action like this at least plan it so customers can have advanced warning (at least 9 days) and NOT use Air Malta on these days therefore affecting the Company they have the bitch with as opposed to customers who are fast losing sympathy for the cabin crews.

It is impossible to re arrange travel arrangements in 24 hours cost effectively which to me says the cabin crew ARE targeting the public

John Xerri

Jun 18th 2009, 06:40

How about improving the cabin service before asking for a pay rise?? Pay for performance? It's probably news to most cabin crew who while away the time chatting and joking away behind the curtains at the back of the plane.

Nigel Lawrence

Jun 18th 2009, 05:29

Do I smell the beginning of the end of AirMalta?

George Mifsud

Jun 18th 2009, 05:06

What a tale of events - British Airways have requested its staff to work one month per year for the company and Air Malta Cabin Staff wants more- surely a compromise is on the horizon. Surely this claim is genuine and not politcally motivated and both parties understand the world wide economic down turn.

Luke Buttigieg

Jun 18th 2009, 02:29

How funny, and this comes at a time when British Airways actually told it's staff to work for free for a month or take unpaid leave for a month, in a bid to survive the global recession because it's cash has run dry.

David Aquilina

Jun 18th 2009, 01:58

Yeah... go ahead, instead of thanking God for the job knowing the current global economic crisis! I'm sure this will help turn the wheel!

Joseph Calleja

Jun 18th 2009, 01:37

Shame on you Air Malta and the UCC for allowing six years to go by, and not reaching an agreement at the expense of the cabin crew. In the good interest of the employees, contracts should be agreed and signed as close to an expiration date as possible, not both parties drag their feet (once again ) at the expense of the employees, that's why they have mediators. And as usual who is the victim? The innocent passenger who pays for everybody's wages. Bad management and bad unions make a bad representation. If a passenger finds a different airline, he might never return, then who is going to pay your way?

Ronnie Gauci

Jun 18th 2009, 00:11

Another sign of arrogance from Air Malta's cabin crew, why on Monday don't we all go on general strike and jam the whole country until the Government and all private companies decide to give us all a payrise?

They should be ashamed of themselves, they are already among the highest paid in the country. Don't tell me they are finding it hard to feed their families with what they already get? Then what other workers must say who get less than a quarter of what they get??

The earliest the Govt. will close down Air Malta the better will be for all of us, I can't stand their arrogance anymore. After all they are just a cheap airline charging people as much as the best ones around.

alex grech

Jun 17th 2009, 23:46

Here they go again threatening yes go ahead delay flights and bankrupt AirMalta in this glourious healthy situation where everybody is getting pay rise well done perfect timing u really want to ground AirMalta well with your previous and present attitude it will not be long

Joe Mizzi

Jun 17th 2009, 23:19

I can understand the cabin crew having pay rise claims, and likewise that management is trying to keep costs down in the face of the present economic conditions. Why is it that passengers suffer? If the cabin crew think for one minute that I will take their side - think again. If any action is to be taken, then irritate management, not your passengers. Delaying flights is irritating enough for passengers to take sides with management. How do you expect passengers to feel about your actions when, in fact, you are about disrupt everybody's travel plans?

Peter Mercieca

Jun 17th 2009, 23:15

With all due respect....has this union read the morning news - British Airways is asking its employees to take up to a maximum 4 weeks without pay...I repeat no dosh at all!!! and does our national airline really need to suffer further industrial actions and lowered competitivity at this most dire and difficult economic time?.... I think the bigger picture needs to be considered and ensure Air Malta's future is safe, sustainable and all Air Malta staff keep a job to go to!
Just for the record I wish every AM employee the desired wage increases....as long as they don't strangle the airline and put it out of business!

W. Debono

Jun 17th 2009, 22:57

Iva ser noqghodu sejrin hekk!! Don't the cabin crew realise the immense damage they are causing to tourism, which is already not very good. If they want higher salaries, then they can find alternative jobs. I don't think they are forced by gun point in remaining emplyed with airmalta.

maria busuttil

Jun 17th 2009, 22:34

Why not let them do so delay all flights by 2 hours and then you just give them either no pay or stop their employment, prepare to have new crew as alot of people are or will be ready to start work instead of these people, who can you believe the crew or the union crew says they have had no increase for the last 9 years!!! now 6 years shame on the nion and the crew. Let us hope that club and all passangers who were hit by this work to rule are given some sort of refund from their wages, let us hope that this will then make them see sense. Thousands of people are ready not to lose their jobs by having a wage cut or no payment at all so they secure their jobs and these!!!!!!!

Joseph Borg

Jun 17th 2009, 22:34

The action planned is indeed badly timed. With Malta suffering a decrease in incoming tourism, and with workers over Europe lowering their wages to defend their jobs, few travellers can show sympathy to the claims of the cabin crew. Without in any way criticizing the sterling service which these employees give, it a rather disconcerting scenario, which Malta can ill-afford.

A Abela

Jun 17th 2009, 22:29

Dejjem tittalbu

a.camilleri

Jun 17th 2009, 22:20

am glad that i have no plans to travel at the moment, this will effect all airlines leaving malta not just air malta!
already warned family in the uk not to visit this summer.

M.Bezzina

Jun 17th 2009, 21:41

Sewwa taghmlu!!Imma l AirMalta ghandkom prezzijiet naqra gholjin tikka ta harira!!hdejn ir ryanair!!

Mark Spiteri

Jun 17th 2009, 21:33

Just come off from an AIR MALTA FLIGHT.
Crew announced that no snack , drinks and newspaper shall be handed out. This should have been announced before you board the air craft, as to be prepared and have a beverage and snack before you board..What a way for a tourist to be welcomed to Malta.
This is ridiculous, the cabin crew of our national airlines are making a mockery of our country prior to arriving on the island.Utter madness , a very good remedy to improve tourism.

Joseph E Briffa

Jun 17th 2009, 21:09

May I ask the UCC whether they have pondered on the harm they would inflict on their Airline if they carry out their threat? Don't these people realise that with a substantial drop in the number of AirMalta users, their company is in no position to better its offer? Or they are prepared to bite the hand that feeds them?. They are free to leave and look for a job with other EU airlines, but they know that it's not that easy at this point in time. So why not accept the offer and sit it out until the recession is over hopefully by next year?. I hope that better judgement prevails.

Joe Vella

Jun 17th 2009, 21:07

Are these people for serious? When there is a world recession on. When British Airways are asking their employees to work for a month for free or take a month leave without pay.

I honestly believe it is time that the Government steps in and legislate all industrial action as illegal unless it has to do with Health and Safety at the work place.