Air Malta ground handling crew vote in favour of new collective agreement

Air Malta’s ground handling crew have unanimously voted in favour of a new collective agreement, according to Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi.

“98% of Air Malta ground handling crew just voted in favour of collective agreement. Big thanks to General Workers Union and Air Malta negotiating team led by HE George Abela. As from next year we will set up a new Ground Handling Company,” said Mizzi in a tweet.

Once signed, the two remaining agreements to be reached will be a collective agreement with ALPA - the pilots union - and General Workers Union, over a collective agreement for another section of the airline’s non-flight crew.

The announcement came a few hours after a press conference was held during which the airline signed a collective agreement with its cabin crew.

Asked during the press conference whether any progress had been registered in working towards a collective agreement for ground handling employees, Mizzi said he expected an agreement to be reached soon.

Mizzi, along with the airline's management have repeatedly emphasised that the airline must conclude all collective agreements by the end of the year in order for it to move forward with its plans for expansion.