Air Malta operations controllers’ industrial action called off

Industrial action against Air Malta which was called by the Association of Airline Operations Controllers has been called off as the two parties agreed to resolve “pending issues” before the Industrial Tribunal, said the airline.

In a brief statement, the airline said that all industrial action had been withdrawn following an agreement reached after an intervention by Tourism minister Konrad Mizzi.

On Thursday, the AAOC called on its members to take industrial action against Air Malta as a result of the airline’s refusal to recognise the AAOC as an official union. Air Malta said the move was “extreme”, “irresponsible” and “illegal” since the entire workforce at the airline was already represented by another union.

However, the AAOC said it had registered itself as a union as early as 2015 and that none of its members were registered with the General Workers’ Union, as it said was claimed by the airline.  

This, it said, was backed up by a report by the Director for Industrial Relations and Employment, which it said had clearly stated that the association should be recognised by the company.