KM Malta pilots vote unanimously to withdraw union directives
ALPA says withdrawal of work-to-rule directives must be followed by 'tangible progress'
Airline pilots’ union ALPA has withdrawn directives in place for KM Malta Airlines pilots, following a unanimous vote to do so by its members.
The work-to-rule directives were voted down following an Extraordinary General Meeting held on October 15, ALPA said in a statement on Friday.
ALPA said it took the decision as part of its commitment to “constructive dialogue” with KM Malta Airlines management, saying it wants to ensure meaningful progress in resolving the months-long dispute.
“ALPA Malta believes that this step provides KM Malta Airlines and the government with the necessary space to demonstrate their good faith and willingness to resolve these matters in a fair and timely manner,” the union said. “Tangible progress must now follow.”
ALPA and KM Malta have been at loggerheads since the summer, when the union issued directives to pilots following a dispute over working conditions.
The government accused the union of being greedy, saying it wanted to secure multi-million payouts for retiring pilots beyond an agreed-upon deadline.
The clash took a further turn this week when ALPA went to court, saying KM Malta was recruiting non-union captains without enough flying time to qualify for the job.
In its statement, ALPA said it has “consistently sought to address disputes concerning contractual inconsistencies, conditions threatening pilots’ livelihoods, recruitment practices undermining career progression and flight safety, and the company’s continued failure to engage in genuine collective bargaining, as required under EU law.”