Updated: Air Malta "surprised" by cabin crew directives
Action condemned by MHRA
(Adds MHRA statement)
Air Malta said today it was surprised with the latest directives issued by the Union of Cabin Crew, a few hours after the airline presented its latest proposal to the union.
The airline said in a statement the directives were issued before the airline received any reaction from the union and before the proposal was presented to the union’s members for their consideration.
The Union of Cabin Crew warned Air Malta yesterday evening that unless it improved its pay offer by tomorrow (Friday), it would order its members to report for work two hours late on Saturday. This would delay flights by two hours.
Its latest proposal, Air Malta said, was at par with the Union of Cabin Crew overall financial request with the sole difference being that the increase was spread over five-and-a-half years instead of four.
"Whilst acknowledging the fact that discussions have been ongoing for the last two years it has to be noted that over 95 percent of the agreement was agreed between the airline and the UCC. Only the financial package remained to be discussed.
"However, three weeks ago, to the airline’s surprise, the union changed goalposts on several items that were previously agreed upon. Thus the union’s claim that the airline is dragging its feet is unfounded," Air Malta said.
It emphasised that in its discussions with the union it had to ensure long-term viability to the benefit of both its employees and the tourism industry.
"These new directives come at a time when other well established European airlines have either announced significant reductions in their cabin crew resource level or have requested their staff to work without pay for a month," it said.
Air Malta said that such actions were harming its reputation and were creating unnecessary inconveniences to its passengers.
"The airline will continue to strive to reach a win - win solution for both the airline and the cabin crew and is open to further negotiations," Air Malta said.
In a statement, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association condemned "any industrial action from any quarter at a time when all industries are doing their utmost to keep operations running with a minimum loss of jobs".
It said that without going into the merits of the case , Air Malta cabin crew’s threat to go on strike was unacceptable at a time when the national airline was struggling to survive through the worst tourism recession ever experienced, with unprecedented fuel bills and cutthroat competition on the international market.
"One would expect that workers in tourism would be looking at ways of increasing their productivity and means of giving more value for money to customers who chose to visit our island, rather than making threats of strike action at this moment in time. Workers everywhere are losing their jobs, while others are struggling hard to retain theirs. It is therefore a very untimely moment to be making threats of industrial action whether these are based on justified claims or not," MHRA said.
It said htat similarly to all other holiday destinations, Malta was suffering badly from a huge drop in visitors and revenue and tourism operators were doing their utmost to attract enough business to at least retain minimum volumes and safeguard the livelihood of many.
"Any strike action at this moment in time could undermine all the efforts being made by both the private sector and government and deal a final blow to our national airline with dire consequences to all.
"MHRA categorically opposes this threatened industrial action and suggests to the Air Malta cabin crew to employ some common sense and postpone their claims until better times."
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Stephen Grech
Jun 23rd 2009, 10:36
Dear Pierre Micallef,
I think your argument is the wrong way round.
AirMalta is forced by the Government to keep certain non profit making routes just for the sake of getting a couple of tourists to Malta, only then to be charged ridiculously inflated prices from the local tourist industry.
What I don't understand in such blob is that everyone is against wages and keep on mentioning fuel crisis and airlines going bust, but on the other hand expect safe flying at low fares.!
Thus your reasoning is low wages or wage cuts for airline workers, low airfares for passengers. What about the prices we charge our tourists eg Capuccino Euros 5, Cheese cakes Euro 1.25 etc etc.???
An airline makes profits when planes have decent loads, and such loads are assured by offering good service and prices over the whole island not just on the plane.
Ian Gauci Borda
Jun 22nd 2009, 09:22
Dear All
Kindly note that I dissociate myself completely from all comments written below.
Many thanks
Ian Gauci Borda
Mark Piscopo
Jun 20th 2009, 17:22
@Godwin Pullicino-Pierre Micallef
The nationalist government never helped Airmalta financially. It was all Air Malta employees who had to suffer including cabin crew who had their wage freeze for 6 years.If AirMalta has been making losses it is through incompetent management appointed by the PN Government especially those who bought those unsuitable aircrafts (RJS) . Why all this hatred from such bloggers addressed to the professional AirMalta staff who do their duties in such a professional way.
Godwin Pullicino
Jun 20th 2009, 13:28
Not sure what planet the KM unions live on. Have they forgotten that in the past 12 months some 30 airlines went bust? Are they aware of the drastic measures already taken by established carriers eg Qantas, Finnair etc to overcome the current aviation crisis? Do they need reminding that a glorious airline like British Airways is today on the brink of collapse because of declining revenues impacted by the financial crisis and fuel costs? The battle for airlines worldwide is about survival. Last thing any airline needs right now is to increase its cost. Airline workers worldwide have accepted a cut in their wages. The Union demands at KM show the Union as out of touch, living in the middle ages and totally disrespecting its own workers, the company and above all its customers who pay KM wages, including that of the Union hierarchies.
Pierre Micallef
Jun 20th 2009, 12:23
This strike shows just how cut-off from reality some unions are. AirMalta is only kept floating through government protection of certain routes - and there are hundreds of passengers out there who's be willing to fly with AirStupid at the drop of a hat if it meant not using AirMalta - these silly measures of not giving passengers coffee for their handsomely paid tickets just drives the company that bit closer to financial ruin.
Frank Schembri
Jun 20th 2009, 09:47
To all the KM staff on this blog. Please avoid hitting out at your fellow colleagues. It is not professional at all. Argiung on blogs is not the way forward. Everybody has the right to fight for his rights, doctors, nurses, Air Malta staff etc. But in order to create win-win situations employees must unite and not bicker in public. When people are united behind a common cause nothing is impossible. When divided nothing is gained.
Andrew Agius
Jun 20th 2009, 08:16
Refusing to serve drinks or give passengers a newspaper is just the kind of affirmative action that is needed to settle an industrial dispute. Well done.
In no way does it appear ridiculously immature or give the impression that you are simply sulking and throwing your toys out of the pram.
OK, that could appear a little unfair, I don't have all the facts, just poor experiences flying Air Malta.
So, Help us all out with some facts - How much do Air Malta cabin crew earn?
A Burlo
Jun 19th 2009, 14:07
Ian ... With regards to private computers given to other sections:
Nowadays you buy a simple computer mouse which comes with an instruction manual in digital format on a CD rom, and more so does a multi million aircraft. The reason why other sections have been given private computers is because the manufacturer only supplies manuals in soft form. To know your aircraft you need the manufacturer cd, to read the cd you need a PC. Kapish
Hope that answers your query.
Kevin Whitehead
Jun 19th 2009, 11:10
Sarah Galea,
I do show sympathy for the cabin crew's cause. I only think it was out of linefor him to mention what other section's gained.
I did not expect it from Ian as he is a friend. And yes. We did delay our flights but by half an hour.
Sarah Galea
Jun 19th 2009, 10:59
Hi Capt Whitehead
Have you forgotten all the things you have done to sign the collective agreements, have you forgotten that because of the roster you delayed the flights, please I think as you got the collective agreement signed it is only fair that cabin crew sign their agreement as well, after all they are not asking for an increase as you had.
Sarah
Sarah Galea
Jun 19th 2009, 09:05
To all the critics.
Please note that the goverment never helped Airmalta it was all the employees including and I tell you including cabin crew when they signed the MOU cabin crew were removed to the minimum crew and also they had a wage freeze for 3 yrs. Secondly to Mr.Mifsud I would tell him that sorry but the goverment likes old people infact instead of lowering the pension he wants us to stay till 65 years, why you don't tell KM managemnent to introduce the early retirement scheme at 25 years of service like the police has, after all crew have radiation, odd hours, so that should be complimented for their work.
To Ms.Selvaggi I inform her that crew is not distributing Times as a result that Times continuously refused to report the statement by UCC otherwise crew is more willing to distribute the Times to all those passengers that with arrogance instead of good morning to the crew they say you have TIMES.
Another thing I think it is a long time that you did not travel Airmalta there is no Duty free aboard since our EU accession so please note.
Good luck Cabin crew
Kevin Whitehead
Jun 19th 2009, 08:27
I.Gauci
K.Falzon is correct. Maybe it is you who should mind your own business on what other sections got or did , and only put your concentration on a collective effort in ending and solving this situation in the best interest of both parties. Other sections you mention only got what is rightfully theirs.
Galea. L
Jun 18th 2009, 23:17
Alfred Bugeja
If AirMalta has been making losses it is through incompetent management appointed by the PN Government including those who bought those unsuitable aircraft notwithstanding all advise to the contrary. Those responsible were not made to pay for their incompetence and arrogance. So why should the workers pay for others incompetence and arrogance? Would you go five years with an expired collective agreement?
K.Falzon
Jun 18th 2009, 20:58
I Gauci What do you mean with "May I ask you to read the Memorandum of Understanding we signed some years ago and it will be enough to mind your own business"? Each time Air Malta made losses in the past, our taxes were used to make up the difference. This in itself gives the maltese population the right to comment on what is happening at Air Malta.
Adrian Gouder
Jun 18th 2009, 20:55
I would like to invite Airmalta to lay all cards on deck, and list down the percentage increases of salaries from the middle-management upwards (including benefits such as cars), and those of cabin crew for the past 10 years, and changes in working times and conditions for all parties. I am sure quite a few of the bloggers below will truly be surprised.
T Mifsud
Jun 18th 2009, 18:57
I have to praise the safety record first. Cabin crew do their job well when it hits the fan. But when all is ok .... hmmmm ... I heard that cabin crew enjoy a very comfortable salary and it compares to well above average for Europe, nothwithstanding the economies of scale. I cannot fathom why they are so greedy in these times asking for a percentage increase when the service has gone down as the oldies get older, fatter and grumpier. It is thanks to the 2 young ones on my last flight from London that cabin service was delivered with a smile. It seems that the young ones are the ones with enthusiasm for work while the older ones militate with greed. Improve the service, remove the grumpy older ones that their smile went off their face decades ago, bring in the young energetic ones, SMILE, deliver a service and then you will get people's sympathies.
J Farrugia
Jun 18th 2009, 18:55
no dear airmalta employees. Its about time you take stock of all the situation at Air Malta and say to yourselves. Are we helping to crash the airline? Or do we want to keep our jobs at AM? If you dont, do like alitalia people did and crashed the airline. It's about time that the AM Management imitates other foreign airlines and removes those workers whose job is obsolete. Make economies from the staff, so that they will learn their bitter lesson that instead of thanking God for their job they are doing their utmost to destroy airmalta. Airmalta is not theirs it is the Maltese people's airline and those who do not want to work please get off the comopany and let others who want to work and do their full duty, work. enoguh is enough. For just one minute they gave Am a bad name. Shame on the staff. And those who want to try and criticise me had better take care other wise I will bring back all the memories of the insults wistin abela used to make to the honest workers who founded Airmalta. Those ex MAS Malta airlines workers.
m farrugia
Jun 18th 2009, 18:50
It is hoped that if taxpayers' money is being poured into Airmalta to make good for the losses without reaping effects and to sustain empty planes, when one day the govt of the day decides to call it a day, nobody will moan that promises were not kept, as in the case of the drydocks and transport.
M.Farrugia
Jun 18th 2009, 17:57
Clearly something is wrong at Airmalta. Airmalta is boasting of increasing its seat capacity from Germany, and last month what we got was a 24% drop in tourists from Germany.
Now when Ryanair ask for a flights from Germany, which they will undoubtedly fill up to the full, we hope we do not have Lawrence Zammit lambasting Ryanair, as he did recently in the Business Weekly.
The truth is that once the millions of travellers who use Ryanair get used to flying at dirty cheap prices with Ryanair, they search only Ryanair's website for their flights, if Malta is not in the list of routes tough luck. Probably this is what's happening in the case of French, German and East European travellers.Who would want to come to Malta at a price of Euro 800 for 3, when they can fly as cheap as EUR 55 for 3 with Ryanair.
It does make sense to protect Airmalta at all cost at the expense of the whole tourism industry.
And why do insist on increasing subsidised low cost flight from the UK, when it is a known fact that UK travellers are choosing to stay home or travel to non Euro countries?
Ms. P.M. Graham
Jun 18th 2009, 17:50
Ms Farrugia wrote "stop passing judgement about situations where the only information you have is reports fed to you by the media"
With the greatest of respect a lot of information posted here has been acquired from first hand experience of travel with Air Malta since this whole debacle started. Again, with respect, the cabin crew decided to take this action knowing full well that it would irk passengers who, as I have already stated are no part of this and I personally think your Union gave you the wrong advice in taking the action you are taking.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
The Union and Management of Air Malta should be around the table sorting this out 24/7 if necessary until a resolve is found because right now the public sympathy is waning.
Stephanie Farrugia
Jun 18th 2009, 16:54
@sarah camileri since you chose to quote me only where it pleases you, please note that the answer to your question is in the lines I wrote before ..that was the purpose of the MOU .5 years have pased and now all of a sudden everyone is blaming cabincrew for Airmalta's woes. No one knows what has been happening since better than them,so please get back to your jobs and stop passing judgement about situations where the only information you have is reports fed to you by the media . Incidentally I m sure ALL of you would gladly work for a month for free- remember that one day you might find yourselves facing exactly the same situation.
Sarah Camilleri
Jun 18th 2009, 16:07
@ Stephanie Farrugia:
"..now go back to your computers in your comfortable airconditioned offices and continue spewing out whatever you can to fill in the time till 5...oh I forgot..most of you have summer time hux now...."
totally incorrect - if you work for a private company, you need to ensure that it remains competitive if you want to keep your job. We are talking about the risk of redundancies and Air Malta bankruptcy - not much of a joke at all.
Where would all these cabin crew work if Air Malta closes down? Would they get better conditions at other airlines like Ryanair? Food for thought..
Stephen Bladacchino
Jun 18th 2009, 15:54
Wait wait everybody,
The managment needs to do its part aswell and to this they have to stop certain thing with example cut there expances and all other kind of stuff. i understand Mr. Gauci perfectly but at this time try not to make turists the victums of all this. But keep pressuring your managment to do there part too.
I Gauci
Jun 18th 2009, 14:28
Please stop picking on us!!!.....We have given more than enough with the Memorandum of understanding, and we are willing to give more but not in the way Airmalta wants....that is all we are asking for!!...for heavens sake we gave away up to two cabin crew on each flight that flies out of Malta, we gave away all pay rises for the past 7 years, we gave away our rest periods...what else do you want us to give??...
I think we have given our share already, I ask the management to reveal thier pays, to reveal why airmalta is the company (paratatal) which owns the most cars, to reveal why a whole section of employees have been given private laptops.....these are the kind of questions I ask when I am being asked to give the company!!!! as from what I see (as an insider) seems that the company has loads of cash to dish out to the chosen ones!
Alfred Bugeja
Jun 18th 2009, 13:40
l Gauci, Galea L and all other Cabin Crew apologists,
What you don't seem to realise is that Air Malta has been making losses for almost a decade and several other larger airlines had bitten the dust since.
With low cost airlines gradually biting into its established markets, there is little doubt that air Malta is on the brink of folding, or pretty close to...
Industrial action at this time, when all other airlines are taking drastic measures to cut costs could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
The Maltese proverb goes... "Tobzoq fl-arja biex jigi f'wiccek"
John Xerri
Jun 18th 2009, 13:24
I Gauci.
Clear evidence that you guys have no idea about private enterprise. In a private company such as mine people have bonuses removed, performance rewards stopped and promises made 2 years ago cancelled. When the going is good then things will change but when it is bad then everyone needs to pull up their socks and be reasonable: in these times not even one employee talks about pay rises because we are intelligent mature people and grateful for our jobs.
You either take it or pack up your bags and leave.
d. borg
Jun 18th 2009, 13:11
British Airways staff are working from 1 week to 1 month without pay to safeguard their posts and our Air Malta cabin crew are going to strike for more pay. Do they know what is going on around them?
Stephanie Farrugia
Jun 18th 2009, 13:00
really some of you do have cheek accusing cabincrew of threatening tourism...where were all of you when their MOU was signed by all employees ,taking pay cuts and increasing services to save the airline???oh I forgot..that was pre blogg time, way before all of you became experts in everything under the sun..now go back to your computers in your comfortable airconditioned offices and continue spewing out whatever you can to fill in the time till 5...oh I forgot..most of you have summer time hux now....
Adrian Gouder
Jun 18th 2009, 12:52
It is truly surprising! Airmalta management is yet again surprised. Years or snail paced negotiation, and this, following a moratorium where cabin crew made huge sacrifices. Not only this, but the lack of cabin crew staff members often meant that dedication air staff often have to work on very short notice to meet the air line‘s needs. Continuous disputes with staff members are not only characteristic, but a fact of life as we occasionally witness on the media.
Airmalta said it was "at par with the Union of Cabin Crew overall financial request with the sole difference being that the increase was spread over five-and-a-half years instead of four". At Par? Five and a half instead of four years! Honestly, that should insult reader’s intelligence.
Stop acting surprised and surprise us all by coming to an agreement for the good of all parties concerned, including our economy.
Sarah Camilleri
Jun 18th 2009, 12:30
This is not the right time to strike and ask for pay rises.. Air Malta needs to remain competitive in order to save jobs.
British Airways is even asking staff to work for free to save their airline!
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6510479.ece
Ms. P.M. Graham
Jun 18th 2009, 12:23
[quote] I Gauci
Such comments about the crew goes to show that all the people commenting have NO CLUE what the cabin crew have done to save tourism...May I ask you to read the Memorandum of Understanding we signed some years ago and it will be enough to mind your own business! [quote]
It is our business when this ongoing situation is affecting US the customer!! Your fight is with Air Malta not its customers. It would almost be more beneficial for you all to walk out, then Air Malta would be financially hit and may actually sit down and stay sat down till this situation is resolved, instead of scheduling meetings for this week next or the next.
stephen baldacchino
Jun 18th 2009, 12:08
Just The right time to do it. We need turists for our ecconomy and we make them wait 2 hrs..Perfect example of Brand Malta.
I Gauci
Jun 18th 2009, 11:58
Such comments about the crew goes to show that all the people commenting have NO CLUE what the cabin crew have done to save tourism...May I ask you to read the Memorandum of Understanding we signed some years ago and it will be enough to mind your own business!
Joseph Cauchi
Jun 18th 2009, 11:37
So, the cabin staff union is at it again! How cute!
In such circumstances, the powers that be, usually just disband the company and a new company is formed.
Is this the way that the present union want for their members today?
Let common sense prevail, please!
../..
Galea. L
Jun 18th 2009, 11:33
Karl Abela
It should be HANDS OFF THE WORKERS RIGHTS.
What if you were to wait for 5 years for your collective agreement and it was still not signed Abela? Or is it that the workers are always wrong?
Charles J. Buttigieg
What about those responsible for the losses made by AirMalta in buying the wrong type of aircraft through hard-headed decisions notwithstanding all advice to the contrary? Were they made to pay for the losses?
I. Farrugia
Are you suggesting they work for nothing?
What next, slavery?
How about you giving them an example and renounce to your wage/salary Farrugia?
J. Buttigieg
Jun 18th 2009, 11:32
@ I. Farrugia: In addition to KLM's request, BA has asked its employees to work for free (albeit) voluntarily. More details here: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6510479.ece
John Xerri
Jun 18th 2009, 11:31
Chuck out 1/2 of the cabin crew and give the jobs to people who are willing to work hard!!
Andrea Selvaggi
Jun 18th 2009, 11:30
By all means, the Airmalta Cabin Crew should stand up for their rights, but not at the expense of the paying customer. On a recent flight to Paris i witnessed some of the 'directives' in action.
- No Times of Malta supplied on flight
- No Soft Drinks or Alcoholic Drinks
- No Duty Free
Although the Cabin Crew was extremely professional and polite, i could easily sense a strong feeling of disapointment and annoyance from the Incoming tourist.
Why should the Tourist suffer? and also... don't forget the Local!
C. Spiteri
Jun 18th 2009, 11:28
to ALL:
I am ex-cabin crew, and most cabin crew are in fact my friends. My partner is cabin crew too.
No one has the right to be all sanctimonous and patronizing, unless you have indeed worked within the comanpy!
Cabin crew have bent rules, many times risking their OWN safety and legal RIGHTS, to accomodate the company!
And judging from these comments, it seems that the general public (understandably so) are very naive in AirMalta employee-management relations! Does anyone remember MOU whereas ALL the employees had wages frozen for 3 years? Do you know that the collective agreement has been expired for YEARS?
Hands of our tourists? Let me tell you - the crew go out of their way to give customers a better service than the company is actually demanding!
So please, before you can judge, LIVE as cabin crew, TALK to these people and THEN see for yourselves
John Farrugia
Jun 18th 2009, 11:26
I observe that in Malta each industrial action is always received with a pinch of surprise by managment. Would it be possible that these highly paid managers are so self centred that they do not realize the grudges that are being built internally by the the lower paid employees?
Also more surprisigly for me is the lack of sense of solidarity between workers. I happen to notice that more or less everybody compains of his state of work, however when it comes in remarking on industrial actions, most of you take the capitalist side.
Before complaining that Malta's wages are still lower than in any other EU country, start thinking whether MALTESE WORKERS did actually contribute to their mishap by not actually uniting. I've been employed all over the world and Malta is the only country where unions are constantly picking on each other instead of working on one common front.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jun 18th 2009, 11:23
British Airways has asked its personnel to contribute one month's wages to save their jobs and our lot are asking for more jam on their bread.
Eman Formosa
Jun 18th 2009, 11:16
According to Sky.com "British Airways is to make 100 pilots redundunt". That gives an idea of the situation in the airline industry. The Air Malta cabin crew union should realise (before it's too late) that Air Malta is not special and it's not a gold mine.
E.Muscat
Jun 18th 2009, 11:14
It is unbelievable that while all airlines are passing through a very difficult phase we have unions who are so irresponsible:it was not enough that they caused AirMalta 200,000 euros expenses in the infamous flight to Moscow because of 3 minutes over the time limit to which they did not express any regret all the while not serving any meals to passengers:it is about time the government takes the union to court because of sabotage to our national airline!
Wait till the price of aviation fuel goes up again next winter and you will all be out of a job:ask the cabin crews of BA if that interests you.
Karl Abela
Jun 18th 2009, 11:12
To all the cabin crew, we tell them: HANDS OFF OUR TOURISTS!!
Such directives will directly affect 60,000 families that are dependant on this tourism. This is not the time to mess around with this industry.
Besides, Air Malta is not a charitable institution and if, in such a severe economic slow down, travellers and airline revenue are/is on the decline then the employees need to shoulder their fare share of the hardships unless they dont want their bread and butter to pack up for good.
This is happening in all tourism related companies especially hotels, were staff are asked to actively colaborate by working harder than ever to avoid recruiting more staff.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jun 18th 2009, 11:11
Difficult times require difficult and hard decisions. Freeze their conditions untill the world's recession is over as otherwise it could turn into a depression for the staff at Air Malta. We built it for them now its their duty to take good care of it for their sake and their beneficiaries.
I. Farrugia
Jun 18th 2009, 10:44
from the latest edition of the economist:-
"The latest estimate of losses for the airline industry this year doubled to $9 billion. To cut costs KLM, a Dutch carrier, has asked its pilots to volunteer for ground work, such as handling bags and hospitality."