MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) Chairman, Md Nor Yusof, last Friday expressed disappointment about the threat of industrial action from the national carrier’s unions over its proposed collaboration with AirAsia (TTG Asia-eDaily, August 10).
In an internal circular to MAS employees, Md Nor, said: “I would like to clarify that we are not in a trade dispute in relation to the Comprehensive Collaboration Framework (CCF) which is a management, board and shareholder matter done in the best interests of the Company.”
According to Md Nor, MAS had had several engagements with the unions on the CCF. “Nonetheless, I have always placed the employees’ interest at the forefront of all business decisions. I have and will continue to constantly engage all employees,” Md Nor said.
“I am working tirelessly towards firming up the details of the collaboration and will announce them officially, subject to regulatory approvals, at the appropriate time,” he added.
The threat of industrial action had come last Thursday from employees belonging to Malaysia Airlines System Employees Union of Peninsular Malaysia (MASEU), Air Workers Union Sarawak (AWUS) and Air Transport Workers Union Sabah (ATWUS), which together represent more than 15,000 workers.
Warning that the national airline would lose out in the long run if it pulled out of the profitable low-cost sector, the unions said they would stage a picket if the deal between MAS and AirAsia went through.
By N. Nithiyananthan
