Air Malta cabin crew held back from taking industrial action over several disputes with management out of respect for the national carrier’s clients, according to the union president.
Cabin crew get a basic wage, which is supplemented by allowances received for every flight
“Despite several breaches of the collective agreement, the union has refrained on numerous times to resort to industrial action out of respect and commitment towards Air Malta’s esteemed clients,” Noel Mercieca told Times of Malta.
The latest dispute was resolved late on Friday evening when a “technical error” prevented Air Malta cabin crew from receiving their full Government bonus.
Instead of the usual €135, some cabin crew members received as little as €7, others got €35, €50 or €70. An Air Malta spokesman admitted a technical error was to blame and the situation was rectified within four days.
The Cabin Crew Union’s latest dispute with the national airline is over the engagement of part-time crew members to cover the busy summer schedule.
Mr Mercieca explained that according to a January 2012 restructuring agreement, the number of cabin crew was fixed at 192 for winter and 220 for summer, with the difference being made up by part-timers.
However, the airline management engaged between 15 and 20 extra part-timers, leaving full-timers to operate fewer flights and with a reduction in income.
He explained that cabin crew get a basic wage, which is supplemented by allowances received for every flight they operate.
As a result of this over-engagement, some full-timers now have an extra day off during the week when they are supposed to be working, while the airline is paying the part-timers extra, he said.
The dispute was referred to the Director of Employment and Industrial relations and the union was waiting for it to be discussed.
An airline spokesman said the extra cabin crew were required as the company had increased flight frequencies and also introduced new flights.
He said the airline was currently recruiting up to 10 extra cabin crew members for the summer, adding that the new flights were positive developments, and management was “surprised” that the Cabin Crew Union appeared not to be welcoming them.
The spokesman said the restructuring agreement allowed for this eventuality and discussions were held with the union.
“The Air Malta management expects the UCC to be supportive of positive developments in the interests of the company and all of its employees, rather than constantly taking a negative stance towards necessary management decisions and the ongoing cultural transformation within Air Malta,” the spokesman said.