Updated at 9pm with message to cabin crew

Government today guaranteed the employment and ‘take home pay’ of Air Malta employees who were members of the General Workers' Union during a meeting with the union and the management of the airline.

Both sides agreed to meet again in the near future to continue to discuss other proposals the GWU moved on behalf of its members.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis thanked GWU general secretary Josef Bugeja for his cooperation and sense of responsibility, President Emeritus George Abela, Air Malta chairwoman Maria Micallef and all those present for the meeting.

Another meeting was held yesterday between the government, the airline and the Union of Cabin Crew but this was not enough to solve the impasse.

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 told directives may escalate

In a message this evening, cabin crew were told that meetings and discussions were ongoing as an agreement had not yet been reached.

The cabin crew were warned to be "on the alert and ready as directives may escalate".