GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb told Air Malta workers today not to accept any blame for the state the airline was in.
Addressing a section of the airline's workers at Luqa, Mr Zarb said the blame lay on those people who in the past took wrong decisions, such as on the purchase of the RJ Avroliners.
The union, he said, had not yet been informed of the details of the government's rescue plan for the airline, but this was clearly a very delicate moment, which, everyone, including the press, should respect.
It was being claimed, he said, that the airline was making an annual loss of some €50 million, including €12 million in this summer alone.
The only proposal made in two meetings which the union had attended so far, he said, was for the setting up of a steering committee, which would include the government, the opposition the company and the four trade unions which were recognised by the company. The GWU had accepted to form part of this committee.
Mr Zarb urged the workers to remain united and said the union would be holding other meetings for them.
Saving jobs was the union's priority, he stressed. The General Workers’ Unions was not afraid of the challenge, he insisted, and this was not the worst situation which the union had faced.
The union would not let the workers down and would defend them from the front. Nothing would be done without the workers' approval.
“We have to look at the decisions being taken, we want to know A to Z what is happening. Air Malta has been of service to the country for many years and now that it needs assistance, the state should be forthcoming so that Malta can continue to have a national airline.”
PRESIDENT 'READY TO HELP'
Earlier today, speaking at another event, President George Abela said he was ready to led a hand to support local industry.
Questioned later, Dr Abela said he would give his help in the current process for the restructuring of Air Malta if so required.
Dr Abela on Monday chaired a meeting between the government and the opposition on Air Malta.
He said he would continue to follow developments but no further meetings involving him were planned.