UHM meets Finance Minister over Air Malta redundancies

In a statement, the union said that a meeting between Secretary General Gejtu Vella, President Gejtu Tanti, Assistant General Jesmond Bonello, as well as Lino Vassallo, met with Minister Tonio Fenech on Wednesday evening.

During the meeting, the union said, the Minister explained the situation in detail and said there are many factors that require discussion with unions before the report of the Steering Committee can be wrapped up and published.

During the meeting, the union said it showed its concerns on the rumours and speculation on the impending mass redundancies that could half Air Malta’s 1,200-strong workforce. The union said however that the Minister could not confirm the any numbers because “important exercises on how many planes Air Malta would have to ensure viability are yet to be carried out.”

The UHM said it understands that the restructuring process not only creates tension for workers and their families, but also creates worries throughout the country due to the importance of the national airline carrier.

“In this light, it would be preferable that there be no speculation of how many workers could be made redundant or laid-off as a result of this process,” the UHM said, echoing government’s position.

In the statement, Gejtu Vella said that the UHM would keep “giving a valuable contribution on the issue and follow developments on Air Malta’s restructuring closely, while it is also safeguarding the interests of members who are Air Malta workers.”