GWU announces industrial action at RSSL to safeguard existing working conditions and ensure compliance with all obligations arising from the VETS Agreement

14 Oct 2026 - Home | Maritime and Aviation | News | Sections

The Maritime and Aviation Section within the General Workers’ Union (GWU), acting on behalf of its members who are former Air Malta employees now employed by Resource Support & Services Ltd. (RSSL), has announced industrial action following the continued failure to resolve several important issues concerning working conditions, existing benefits and employees’ entitlements.

The GWU’s position is clear: existing working conditions and benefits must be safeguarded, while all obligations arising from the VETS Agreement and the related correspondence must be fully respected and fulfilled.

The industrial action follows a series of discussions and efforts by the Union to reach a fair agreement with the company. Despite these efforts, the main concerns raised by the GWU and its members remain unresolved.

One of the Union’s primary concerns is the protection of working conditions and benefits already established under the existing Collective Agreement and employees’ individual contracts. The GWU cannot accept a situation in which, through a new agreement, its members risk losing or having their existing benefits and conditions reduced.

The Union maintains that acquired rights must be respected and that commitments already undertaken cannot be disregarded or left outstanding during negotiations. In particular, the GWU insists that all obligations arising from the VETS Agreement, together with the relevant correspondence concerning its implementation, must be honoured in full.

Another outstanding issue concerns salary arrears dating back to 2023. The GWU continues to insist that this matter must be addressed fairly, together with the proposed mechanism for salary increases.

Following a meeting with its members, during which the proposals submitted by the company were explained and discussed, the Union carefully considered the views and concerns expressed by employees. Their position has further strengthened the GWU’s determination to defend their existing working conditions and ensure that all outstanding obligations towards them are fulfilled.

In light of these developments, the GWU has formally notified RSSL of the industrial action to be taken in response to the unresolved issues.

The Union emphasises that this dispute is not simply about negotiating new working conditions. Above all, it concerns the protection of existing rights, respect for commitments already made and the full implementation of all obligations arising from the VETS Agreement and its related correspondence.

The GWU remains willing to engage in serious and constructive discussions with the company to reach a fair and satisfactory resolution. However, any agreement must provide clear guarantees that employees’ existing working conditions and benefits will remain protected and that all outstanding obligations will be fulfilled.

The General Workers’ Union will continue to represent its members and take all necessary industrial and legal measures to safeguard their rights and interests.