Updated | Air Malta accuses pilots’ association of ‘unwillingness’ to work with airline

Adds ALPA's reaction

National airline Air Malta has accused pilots' association ALPA of "unwillingness to work constructively with it" after the pilots registered an industrial dispute with the airline claiming that the new training facilities situated in Air Malta's new offices are not up to standard.

According to Air Malta, in its letter to the Company the union's executive committee also objected to the use of a new briefing room which is currently being refurbished as part of an overall exercise intended to reduce costs significantly.

This dispute arose soon after Air Malta inaugurated this week its new head office at the Sky Parks Business Centre. The Company has now challenged the union executive committee's claims and invites ALPA to provide proof to support its claims.

In a statement, Air Malta said that it failed to understand the motivations behind the union executive committee's actions "especially since in the past months certain members of this committee embarked on a campaign stating that not enough was being done by the Company to reduce costs".

"Yet, when concrete action is taken, ALPA is the first one to object to any changes being done," Air Malta added.

It said that ALPA's executive committee "shows a particular inability to work constructively with management defined by general opposition to anything that disturbs the status quo".

But reacting to the statement, ALPA accused Air Malta of 'conveniently leaving out that the training rooms are located at SkyParks' Level 0, which effectively is situated below ground level".

"These rooms are completely bereft of any natural ventilation or window. Since crews will be required to spend up to 7 hours daily in these rooms during courses, ALPA has requested that an Air Quality Report be carried out to assess the air quality in these rooms. We believe Air Malta should look after the interests of its employees and that primarily this task should have been requested by the Air Malta Health and Safety Office, which up till now has remained conspicuously out of the picture," ALPA said.

In the absence of a satisfactory air quality report, ALPA has instructed its members not to attend for training in these training rooms.

On the relocation of the briefing room, ALPA said that after an onsite inspection of the room in question, it has been deemed that this room is inadequate and too small to cater for crews' briefing needs.

"During briefing time pilots have to assess flight and weather conditions and make important decisions prior to the flight. At peak times up to 6 sets of pilots and cabin crew have to brief simultaneously. ALPA has raised its concern that such a small and confined space as is being proposed, will lead to too much cross-talk and interference which might lead to safety issues. ALPA is not against relocating to cheaper options, but an alternative room must be adequate and cater for its intended purpose."

It added that while ALPA has not been actively involved in decisions as had been promised, "we are certainly not resistant to change and cost cutting".

"In the last few months we have co-operated and offered our full assistance to the company in other matters. However ALPA will not tolerate a take it or leave it attitude at the detriment of its members."

ALPA went on to add: "Finally we would like to question the real motives why these internal issues have been splashed on the media."