The Airline Pilots Association Malta (ALPA) has filed a judicial protest against KM Malta Airlines Ltd, calling on the airline to discuss current grievances over outside recruitment of captains, and warning of industrial action.
In the judicial protest filed in the First Hall of the Civil Court, ALPA, claimed that the airline had provided it with information and “explanations” which clearly showed that it was not operating in line with the health and safety regulations.
It said it had tried to discuss the shortcomings, but the company stonewalled any discussions.
The union explained that when Air Malta captains transferred to the new airline, they entered into employment contracts which stipulated their retirement date along with an agreed severance package. This, however, required KM Malta to recruit new captains or pilots with enough flying hours to become captains. The current group of pilots did not have sufficient flying hours to become captains.
The union said serving captains had offered to stay on under current conditions and with no additional costs to the airline, but the management was insisting on outside recruitment. This decision would lead to a situation where the current crop of pilots would be unable to advance in their career.
The situation was leading to demoralisation and would also lead the pilots to seek alternative employment with other airlines.
The high turnover of pilots and captains would have a negative impact on the company and safety.
ALPA therefore called on the airline to address the issues outlined in the judicial protest and warned that unless there were talks leading to an agreement, it would seek its members’ authorisation to take the necessary measures.
Lawyer Chris Cilia signed the judicial protest.