Updated | Air Malta talks continue late into the night, agreement reached with cabin crew

Following agreement w/@AlpaMalta & GWU, an agreement w/UCC has been reached 2 secure @AirMalta's long term viability. Good sense prevailed

— Zammit-Lewis Edward (@ZammitLewisEdw) August 22, 2016

All Air Malta employees represented by the General Workers Union were guaranteed their jobs, as well as their take-home pay, even following the sale of nearly half the airline’s shares to Alitalia, according to the Maltese government.

In a statement released on Monday, the Tourism Ministry announced that an agreement had been reached with the GWU and Air Malta’s management.

During the meeting, the GWU representatives presented a number of proposals put forward by its Air Malta members and the three parties agreed to meet again soon to further discuss the union’s proposals.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis thanked GWU secretary general Josef Bugeja for his cooperation and attitude throughout the process.

He also thanked president emeritus George Abela, Air Malta chairperson Maria Micallef and all those who attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Air Malta cabin crew members began following work-to-rule directives after three meetings in one day between the union, Zammit Lewis, Micallef and Abela. A statement was then released later on during the night by the government confirming that a preliminary agreement had been reached with the cabin crew.

The Union of the Cabin Crew was represented by lawyer Ian Spiteri Bailey while president emeritus George Abela facilitated the talks

Union representatives were told on Friday the government would only guarantee jobs and take-home pay for cabin crew if they increase productivity targets imposed by the management, and accept a voluntary early retirement scheme.

In a statement, the government said the agreement “safeguarded the interests of the government as a main shareholder, the interests of the cabin crew, the future of the airline and all Air Malta workers”.