[WATCH] Money not pilots’ main concern, ALPA lawyer insists

Air Malta pilots concerned about possible redundancies following Air Malta sale

Air Malta's pilots have presented a reply to the prohibitory injunction filed by Air Malta in court last week, as talks between the two sides on terms for a new collective agreement remain at a standstill. Air Malta filed the injunction to stop its pilots from striking.

Lawyer Edward Gatt, representing the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), told reporters gathered outside court that money was not the pilots’ primary concern.

When questioned by MaltaToday as to whether ALPA’s demands for financial raises of up to €7 million were sustainable, Gatt said the pilots were much more worried about possible redundancies that could result from Air Malta’s sale to third parties.

“That is much more worrying than money concerns, as is the drastic reduction in flight hours that pilots are being asked to work lately,” he said.

“We will never agree or accept a transfer or sale to a third party without these issues having been resolved.”

Gatt said ALPA found it impudent to try and hide these issues and leave them for third parties to deal with following a sale or transfer of Air Malta.

Asked about conflicting reports as to the value of raises being demanded by the pilots, Gatt insisted the priority was to stop someone from clamping down on his clients’ fundamental rights.

“I understand that some people – in an effort to portray my clients as greedy and interested only in money – are coming out with figures, inflated by the thousands, in a bid to obscure the issues at hand,” he said.

“But there have already been media reports clarifying this matter.”

As to whether a deal with Alitalia would be finalised, Gatt said ALPA’s main concern was to have a strong Air Malta.

“Our clients have been working for Air Malta for years and definitely have no intention of harming the company through any action of theirs,” he said.

"But we cannot accept the fact that we are being denied our right of association in industrial disputes and our right to protect our interests."

Gatt said this was a fundamental right that every worker enjoys, not only Air Malta pilots.

"We made it clear in our response that any attempt to stifle or attack this right would set a dangerous precedent," he said.

Gatt said he hoped the court would not accept this threat to this fundamental right.

He said possible industrial action should not be addressed in the prohibitory injunction but should be discussed between the two parties.

“When two parties involved in discussions do not agree on issues, one party – in this case, Air Malta – should not have the right to attack workers’ fundamental right to association.