Cabin crew union members quit over ‘unacceptable unilateral behaviour’

Four members of the Air Malta Union of Cabin Crew (UCC) have resigned from the union’s administrative committee because of a unilateral decision taken on their behalf by the remaining committee members, according to an email seen by MaltaToday.

Yesterday this newspaper reported that four of union’s seven committee members had resigned their posts after it was revealed on Saturday that the union was contemplating industrial action unless the airline met their demands.

The demands reportedly included a pay increase and the reinstatement of a number of part-time staff members who had been dismissed by the company.

“Contrary to what might be said – our resignation was not brought about regarding the re-employment of temp crew or due directives or because we are not willing to stand up and defend our communities work and privileged right,” read the email.

“However, as a team, as we have on many occasions been referred to, and as a committee of seven, the least we anticipate is for all to be informed and included in the decisions being taken.”

The committee members quit over what they called 'unacceptable unilateral behaviour'

Reacting to the news that the union was considering new industrial action, tourism minister Konrad Mizzi threatened to shut down the company. “[If] employees and unions do not understand that they need to work with the company and the government while we implement changes to make the airline profitable, the government might have no other option but to close the company down completely and re-open with new staff,” he said.

The minister’s remarks were met with apprehension, including by the Nationalist Party which condemned Mizzi’s “unprecedented threat” and questioned whether “the Labour Party’s promises [were] all talk”.

The union is currently in talks with Air Malta over a new collective agreement and both Mizzi and chairman Charles Mangion have said that they have offered the unions the most an airline in Air Malta’s position could offer without leading the company to bankruptcy.