Workers’ union signs collective agreement with Malta Air Traffic Services employees

The General Workers’ Union (GWU) and the Malta Air Traffic Services (MATS) have signed a new collective agreement for those who work in the AIM & Training section.

MATS is the air navigation service provider for Malta and provides a variety of services aimed at ensuring that aircraft flying in the Malta Flight Information Region are safely separated in accordance with international civil aviation regulations.

GWU said in a statement that the collective agreement stipulates higher wages, better general working conditions and rank amendments for employees.

“Negotiations in this case  were difficult due to the fact that this new section brings together employees which were spread across various other sections,” Sandro Vella, GWU secretary for maritime and aviation said. “The discussions took some time because we wanted to be sure that the process was complete and incorporated all ranks,” he added.

Vella said that the new agreement covers the period between 2013 to 2019, and that he believed it puts the MATS and its employees in a position to expand and support its operations.

The collective agreement was signed by Vella, shopsteward Jeffrey Mifsud, MATS chairperson Anthony Abela and CEO Kenneth Chircop.