NEWS | Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Air Malta, ALPA sign new collective agreement at last after intensive negotiations

Air Malta and the ALPA (Airline Pilots Association – Malta), the Union representing pilots at the national airline, on Monday signed a new Collective Agreement covering a three-year period from 1 August 2007 to 31 July 2010.
The agreement, which was reached after detailed and lengthy negotiations, was approved by Air Malta’s Board of Directors and the ALPA members last week. The talks were held over a period of 7 months.
A spokesperson for ALPA said the agreement reinforced bridges between Air Malta and its pilots paving the way for a harmonious industrial relationship. ALPA encouraged its members to continue offering a loyal service to Air Malta and the travelling public.
A spokesperson for the airline said that Air Malta and ALPA have agreed on a comprehensive package.
The financial package had been the major stumbling block for negotiations to proceed, given the financial position of the company that had reached a very precarious situation in 2003, but after intense discussions the parties finalised a win-win agreement acceptable to both sides.
The spokesperson confirmed that the increases in payments were weighted towards the end of the three-year period in line with the airline’s requirement to continue its financial recovery.
He added that ALPA had agreed to increase flexibility in work practices and to increase monthly and yearly flying hours in-line with legal limitations. It was also agreed to synchronise flight time limitations closer to legal definitions, and to streamline certain allowances.
These changes were required to increase productivity and to ensure Air Malta’s competitiveness in the tough aviation business. They have also helped to place Air Malta on a more level playing field with its competitors.
This is the second Collective Agreement signed with the Unions representing Air Malta employees. Last December the airline and the Association of Airline Engineers signed the first post Rescue Pact Collective Agreement.
Collective Agreement discussions between the General Workers Union and the Union of Cabin Crew are still ongoing.
Earlier last year the four Unions representing employees at the airline had expressed a preference to negotiate separate collective agreements instead of extending the three-year Rescue Pact signed between the airline and the four Unions.