Air Malta pilots union gives notice of industrial actions – Updated
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Air Malta pilots have given notice that with effect from midnight, they can resort to industrial actions. It is understood that the Pilots’ Union ALPA will start its actions from midnight by delaying flights for half an hour.
update: Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi said that the government would “not bow to pressure” and indicated that pilots were on the warpath because they wanted “ridiculous guarantees on early retirement schemes”.
Air Malta expressed its disappointment that, “yet again, ALPA, the union representing Air Malta pilots, threatens with industrial action during its busiest period of year. The union has ordered its members to delay the airline’s flights by 30 min as of tomorrow 1st July.”
Sources close to Air Malta said the hitches started in regard to pilots’ rosters, as the company is insisting the pilots abide by the collective agreement which, according to international regulations, lays down that they fly for 75 hours per month. In line with this agreement the company guaranteed that Captains would earn 150,000 euro per year. The same sources added that the Pilots’ Union had been raising other issues, including those relating to pilot training, since April. It was also mentioned that ALPA has even refused an arbitration decision. It was further stated that ALPA’s militant attitude does not enjoy the support of all pilots, so much so that some pilots have even resigned from its management.
