A meeting yesterday between Air Malta’s Union of Cabin Crew and the airline’s management was not enough to solve the impasse between the two parties, the Times of Malta has learnt.
Sources said the union yesterday held a meeting with senior management in the presence of Air Malta chairperson Maria Micallef and President Emeritus George Abela, who is facilitating talks between the airline and the unions.
The meeting was held in the context of industrial action ordered by the Union of Cabin Crew in view of a disagreement with the airline management over the new collective agreement.
Cabin crew union members are working to rule by sticking to their rostered flights and not accepting any flights that encroach on a leave day. Members are also to work standby duty flights provided they do not affect their following duty.
The union officials did not agree with all principles in the document so the meeting was called off
At yesterday’s meeting, union officials were given a declaration of principles similar to those agreed upon with the pilots earlier last week. These principles were intended to pave the way for future talks on the collective agreement.
However, the union officials did not agree with all principles outlined in the document so the meeting was called off and is expected to continue today.
Last Friday, UCC members stormed out of a meeting with Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis.
UCC president Noel Mercieca told the Times of Malta that the union wanted written assurances that all cabin crew members would keep their jobs and unchanged salaries. “Although the government gave us some assurances, they tied these to other conditions which should form part of discussions on a collective agreement,” Mr Mercieca said.
Yesterday, eyebrows were raised after Air Malta carried an advert in The Sunday Times of Malta calling on experienced cabin crew to apply for a three-day refresher course, saying successful applicants would get an “attractive salary and competitive benefits”.
The industrial dispute with cabin crew came less than a day after the government had managed to strike an agreement with the Airline Pilots Association, after the dispute between the two had ended up in court.
Air Malta is currently undergoing a due diligence exercise by Alitalia, the Italian carrier, which is currently in talks with the government over the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake. The Etihad Group of the United Arab Emirates has a significant minority holding in Alitalia and Air Berlin.
The Times of Malta reported how Air Malta pilots want their salaries to match those of the other pilots within the Etihad Group.