ALPA's Russian Roulette!

The right to strike is a sacrosanct right of workers; obtained through much strife in the past and after workers having suffered to obtain this vital right. Indeed the acquisition of the right to strike is perhaps the best guarantee a worker has against being bullied by his employer. It is the ultimate protector of worker's rights. To this end the importance of trade unions cannot be minimized; ultimately it would be pointless to have the right to strike if there is no coordinator to coordinate the strike and make it effective. Trade Unions are thus that entity which guarantees that workers are best able to fight for their rights in a coordinated and effective manner.

The Difference Between a strike and pressing the self destruct

Although the right to strike is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from workers; as in every right it carries with it duties. A union ordering a strike must be careful, making sure that its action ultimately will result in rewards for its members and not for greater hardships. This simple, perhaps obvious, point seems to be not so obvious for ALPA (Airline Pilots Association-Malta). ALPA has spent the last couple of days holding Air Malta and indeed the nation at ransom by threatening to ground all Air Malta flights next Saturday.

The crises situation at Air Malta cannot be understated. Our national airline is at serious risk and at the moment the priority should be that of saving this national entity of vital importance to our country's economy. The blame game should definitely take a back burner until Air Malta is on solid ground and everyone should work constructively at finding the optimal solution. The Union of the Cabin Crew has seemingly understood this, the Union of the Airline Engineers has seemingly understood this, even the militant General Workers Union has seemingly understood this. Such cannot be said for ALPA led by Captain Domenic Azzopardi.

ALPA it seems, fails to understand that Air Malta is no state to afford a major strike and any such action can only push Air Malta beyond the edge of the cliff. ALPA it seems fails to understand that by ordering a strike it will be endangering the jobs not only of its members but indeed of thousands of other workers, families, business and ultimately this country's economy. It seems however that ALPA have adopted an attitude of not bothering with any considerations as long as ALPA and Capt. Azzopardi make their point; even if to make this point the price is going to be sky high.

Right to demand better solutions

ALPA has every right to demand alternative solutions; it has every right to demand that its workers be given the best situation possible and not a bummer deal; that is after all a trade union's primary function. Such can be done in a manner which does not hold an entire nation at ransom. Ultimately if our name as a country gets damaged, ALPA's members will suffer along with the rest of us.

Responsibility

The ball lies firmly in ALPA's court. It can choose to talk responsibly just as fellow trade unions such as Forum Unions Maltin, General Workers Union and others have done or it can choose the road it is currently on. Ultimately if ALPA leads to the collapse of Air Malta I believe ALPA and those leading it, should be held accountable.