Air Malta playing ‘dangerous game’ – GWU

The General Workers Union has accused Air Malta of initiating "tactical moves" in order to accommodate employees with fewer years' service to the detriment of employees who have rendered their services to Air Malta for a much longer time.

The GWU said the Air Malta management issued a number of calls for application to allegedly fill up vacant positions. These positions have long existed especially within the Ground Handling department, the union said.

"All the management is doing is renaming existing positions in order to place well known persons in these positions," the GWU said.

The GWU said that it had made it clear from the very beginning that it will not accept anything else apart from the last in first out process as defined by industrial law.

The union added that it is currently in discussions with the airline management and the Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.

The GWU accused Air Malta of working its way out of its legal responsibilities and evade legal requirements regarding the last in first out process.

The GWU also accused the airline's management of attempting to reduce the number of employees on a departmental basis which is in violation of industrial law.

The GWU said these tactics are amplifying frustration and tension within the company's workforce especially in the light of the agreement between the union, the airline and the Finance Minister to respect the last in first out process. Everybody is aware of the agreement and the airline is aware that industrial law should be respected.