Whereas the latter was planning to issue directives to the workers it represents, the former wants the negotiations and fruitful discussions between both unions and the company’s management to continue, in the best interests of the company and its workers.

The GWU and the UHM have joint recognition at MIA since they both represent approximately half the total number of employees working there. On Saturday, UHM assistant secretary general Joe Grillo warned of a possible total strike if no agreement was reached on one of the outstanding issues. However, the GWU called a press conference yesterday to disassociate itself from any action the other union might take.

Section secretary Emanuel Zammit said the union believed that it was “premature” for such industrial action to be ordered, especially since negotiations were in full swing and the discussions had not yet reached a deadlock. The collective agreement for MIA workers expired at the end of 2003.

“We think that industrial action is premature at this point. Such action will only serve to damage the company and its workers, as well as other companies and airlines operating from the airport. The GWU believes that serious discussions around the negotiation table are in the best interest of the workers. The last meeting we had with MIA’s management was on Friday and there was no deadlock at this meeting,” he said.

The Malta Independent asked Mr Zammit whether he would describe this situation as a case of pique between both unions. He said it was not a question of pique because, as it had in the past, the GWU was prepared to work with the UHM in the best interests of companies and their workers.

Asked to confirm whether officials of both unions had clashed or disagreed on something specific in any way, Mr Zammit said: “I cannot confirm this.” Replying to The Malta Independent’s question of whether the unions had contacted each other over the weekend, Mr Zammit said the GWU learnt about the UHM’s stand through the Sunday newspapers.

Mr Zammit said negotiations on the new collective agreement for MIA workers started over a year ago and there were only about four or five points on which the UHM and the GWU could not reach an agreement with the company’s management.

He also referred to last week’s historic signing of the first ever social pact at corporate level. The agreement was reached between four unions representing a wide array of Air Malta employees and the company’s management. He said that in instances where unions worked together, beneficial agreements were reached.