Some Air Malta scheduled flights are expected to be hit by significant delays this week if the industrial action by the Union of Cabin Crew (UCC) carries on.
However, in a surprise move the airline has issued a call to recruit “trained” cabin crew as from tomorrow, offering them “attractive salaries” and “competitive benefits”.
Work-to-rule directives issued by the UCC yesterday have so far had an insignificant effect on the daily operations of the airline. However, a source close to the union told The Sunday Times of Malta that the effect of the directives “will definitely be felt during the week as flight delays will start kicking in”.
“There will definitely be flight delays this week if the current directives are still in place,” the source said.
“In the case that the directives are stepped up, the situation will be much worse.”
There will definitely be flight delays this week if the current directives are still in place
In what is possibly a move to mitigate the impact of industrial action posed by the cabin crews, Air Malta’s management is today publishing an urgent call for the recruitment of “trained” cabin crew to be given a three-day intensive refresher course. The airline is calling on all trained cabin crew, particularly those who had spent some time working with Air Malta in the past, to apply as from tomorrow morning and immediately start the refresher course.
The Air Malta advert (see page 12) lists “successful completion of cabin crew training” and a “clean police conduct” as the only requirements for recruitment.
After failing to obtain a written guarantee from the government on the future of their jobs and take-home pay, the UCC registered an industrial dispute and ordered its members to operate only their rostered flights. “You are not to work a flight that would miss the next day’s duty (flight on standby) or encroach on off/leave day,” the union instructed its members.
Yesterday, attempts were made by the management to stave off the expected delays.
“UCC is informed that members of KM management are asking crew to work on off days. You are requested not to accept and you have full backing of the UCC,” a note issued by the union said.
During discussions on Alitalia’s offer to take over almost half the shareholding of Air Malta, the government refused to give the cabin crew union a guarantee in writing that all 190 cabin staff will be kept on Air Malta’s books and will retain their take-home pay.
On the other hand, the government accepted a similar request by Alpa, the union representing pilots.
“With regard to cabin crew, the government cannot give a guarantee as there are extra staff who will have to move to pastures new away from the airline industry,” a government source said.
“The problem is even more complicated as Air Malta’s cabin staff cost almost 40 per cent more than those of Alitalia and Etihad. Thus, they can’t be offered alternative jobs with the new shareholders,” the source added.
Allowances over and above their salaries form a significant part of the take-home pay of the cabin crew.