Updated 12.51pm - The Association of Airline Operations Controllers (AAOC) has accused Air Malta of failing to grant it trade union recognition only because it is being held hostage by the General Workers’ Union.
The association which represents some 15 workers who coordinate the administration of aircraft while on the ground, called limited industrial action this morning to press its claim. Its officials are sending flight plans to the operations centre half an hour before aircraft's scheduled departure instead of an hour as is the norm. Flight plans usually include details on routes, aircraft weight, number of passengers, fuel and weather.
There was no immediate impact on flights.
Its actions were, however, slammed by the airline, which accused it of being irresponsible and taking action illegally. The union warned that such actions could stop its operations.
The association said its claim for recognition had been pending for two years but was being contested by the GWU.
The Director of Industrial Relations last month carried out the necessary verification and confirmed that all the members of the section were members of the association and recognition should therefore be granted.
However Air Malta refused to go ahead and therefore there had been no alternative to industrial action.
The association said the GWU is threatening to take its own industrial action if recognition is granted to the AAOC.
The AAOC insisted there is nothing illegal about its actions.
It also argued that it did not just want to be updated about developments in Air Malta, but it wanted to participate in such ongoing developments, as was its right as a trade union.
Early this morning Air Malta warned that it would take all possible action to safeguard its interests and those of its passengers after the association have notice of industrial action with 'potential to stop the airline's operations'.
Air Malta said a meeting was held yesterday afternoon between the union, the airline and the Ministry of Tourism where it was decided that the issue should be decided by an Industrial Tribunal.
But the union is demanding immediate recognition, Air Malta said.
"The industrial action announced by the AAOC can bring the company's operations to an abrupt halt and are potentially detrimental to the company and to tourism in general," Air Malta said.
It explained that the government had offered to keep the union updated about developments in the airline until the industrial tribunal took a decision on the recognition issue, but the union had still announced its actions.
Such industrial action, Air Malta said, was 'extreme,' 'illegal' and 'irresponsible' at a crucial time for the airline and at the height of the tourism season and the union would be held responsible for its actions.
HOTELIERS' CONCERN
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association also expressed its concern over the industrial action, saying it would be irresponsible and destructive.
Such issues, it said, should be addressed through dialogue and not by putting the employer at ransom, especially when in this case the victims of such action would be the wider economy itself.
It said nothing justified grounding Air Malta's aircraft, especially when there are clear rules and directives governing such matters.
It called on the AAOC to stop shooting itself in the foot.