The General Workers’ Union and Air Malta met yesterday to discuss why GWU members were offered voluntary redundancy schemes “inferior” to those of other employees.

The union’s general secretary, Tony Zarb, would only say that discussions were under way and would continue.

According to the union, the redundancy schemes offered to its members and those for members of other unions were different, despite management’s assurances that all workers would be treated in the same way.

“It is clear that the schemes for GWU members are inferior to those of workers represented by another union,” it said in a statement on Tuesday without specifying which union it was referring to.

It insisted that while it was not against other union members being treated well, it expected its members to receive the same treatment. Air Malta is undergoing a restructuring process to avoid going bust and has to shed some 500 workers.

The GWU represents about 800 of the airline’s 1,300 employees, with ground operations and head office forming the bulk of its membership base

The GWU represents about 800 of the airline’s 1,300 employees, with ground operations and head office forming the bulk of its membership base. Only two weeks ago, GWU members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the rescue package that included a number of voluntary redundancy and retirement schemes and new working conditions for those retained by the airline.

Air Malta pilots are still discussing the way forward with the airline.

The president of the Airline Pilots’ Association, Domenic Azzopardi said that talks were still being held but expressed disappointment that several pilots, especially the younger ones, had already left the company.

He complained that, despite several promises, the airline management had done very little on suggestions the pilots had been making.

Pilots had been asking for third party contracts, including those with Malta International Airport, to be reviewed, saying these were costing the airline a lot of money.