General Workers’ Union orders industrial action against Malta International Airport

The General Workers’ Union has ordered workers to refrain from communicating by email as the first step in an industrial action against Malta International Airport

GWU said that the two unions had agreed to attend meetings requested by MIA, but that these had been unproductive
GWU said that the two unions had agreed to attend meetings requested by MIA, but that these had been unproductive

The General Workers’ Union (GWU) has ordered workers to refrain from communicating by email as the first step in an industrial action against Malta International Airport, due to the failure to reach a collective agreement for its workers.

According to GWU, which is in negotiations with MIA together with Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM), the biggest hurdle to reaching a new collective agreement for MIA workers is the company’s refusal to improve working conditions despite increased commercial activity resulting from growth in the tourism sector.

“The company has made great profits over the last three years thanks to its workers. The workers gave important contribution so that MIA could solidify it commercial standing. In this period, work productivity increased while the number of workers declined. In spite of this, the company still holds back from recognising the workers’ contribution by improving their work conditions,” GWU section secretary for maritime and aviation Sandro Vella said.

UHM employment relations manager Ramon Francalanza added that the only increment the airport employees enjoyed was an increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment.

GWU said that the two unions had withdrawn a previous industrial dispute against MIA after the company claimed that the issue was caused by miscommunication.

GWU said that the two unions had agreed to attend meetings requested by MIA, but that these had been unproductive.

“Negotiations continued to be characterised by delays and disagreements on working conditions. For this reason, after registering the industrial dispute, GWU and UHM ordered the workers they represent not to communicate through email,” GWU said.