Watch: ‘Won’t Move One Inch’ – Clyde Caruana Stands Firm In ALPA Negotiations
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has said he will “not move an inch” and will not allow any shifting of goalposts in ongoing negotiations with the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), as…
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has said he will “not move an inch” and will not allow any shifting of goalposts in ongoing negotiations with the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), as tensions continue over pilot progression at KM Malta Airlines.
Caruana was responding in parliament to PN MP Ivan Castillo, who questioned whether the airline’s recruitment of direct entry captains would freeze Maltese first officers’ promotions.
The dispute follows last year’s industrial actions by ALPA during talks on pilot progression, after the airline’s transition from Air Malta included early retirement packages for a number of senior captains.
Those captains had signed definite contracts to remain after the transition, but those agreements are now nearing their end, prompting KM Malta Airlines to fast-track experienced first officers into command roles.
In his reply, Caruana said ALPA knew exactly what it was negotiating during the transition and that none of its representatives made the deal “with a gun pointed at their head.” “Let’s not move goalposts,” the minister stressed, arguing that backing down now would mean bowing to pressure and repeating past mistakes.
When asked about contingency plans if Maltese pilots choose to leave over stalled progression, Caruana said the airline had previously recruited experienced foreign pilots and could do so again if necessary.
What do you make of his comments?
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