Clyde Caruana 'won't move one inch' on agreement with pilots' union

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has insisted that he will “not move an inch” and will not allow the shifting of goalposts in negotiations with the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA).

Caruana was responding to a question from PN MP Ivan Castillo, who asked whether KM Malta Airlines’ recruitment of direct entry captains would freeze Maltese first officers’ promotions to become captains.

Last year, ALPA launched industrial actions during discussions over the worker progression of the airline’s pilots. The disagreement stemmed from a decision made during the airline’s shift from Air Malta, when it offered early retirement packages to many of its most senior pilots. 

Those captains had signed definite contracts to remain after the transition, and these contracts are now nearing their end. As a result, KM Malta Airlines is looking to fast-track experienced first officers into command positions.

In parliament, Caruana told Castillo that ALPA knew exactly what it was negotiating during the transition, and that none of its representatives made the deal “with a gun pointed at their head.” 

“Let’s not move goalposts,” the minister stressed, as he ranted against conceding towards such pressures to gain votes.

Caruana insisted that if government backs down from what was agreed before the transition, then it would mean that government would bow to such pressure and repeat past mistakes.

Castillo then asked the minister whether the airline has any contingency plans if the Maltese pilots cannot progress their careers and decide to leave the airline. 

Caruana noted that KM Malta Airlines had previously recruited foreign experienced pilots, and that it can do so again.