Rabat – AMPL has denied its pilots are on strike, claiming that RAM’s management policy is solely responsible for the company’s troubles.
The National Trade Union of Moroccan Pilots (AMPL) published the accusation in a statement posted on the weekend on its Facebook page. The union slammed the much-rumored allegations of pilots striking and said that AMPL members were going about their activities as usual.
Since July 18, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco’s national carrier, has been forced to cancel a series of flights and make last-minute changes in flight schedules. According to the latest reports, the company has cancelled more than 100 flights over the last two weeks, igniting the wrath of some customers.
“AMPL strongly denies allegations that RAM’s pilots are on strike,” the group’s statement declared, saying that “at no time did RAM’s pilots fail to perform their duty as set by the company’s monthly working hours’ requirements.”
While AMPL has been widely reported to have declined negotiation offers from RAM management, the group’s statement offered a strikingly different account. According to AMPL, pilots have been fulfilling their duty “without disruption,” but RAM’s “chaotic management” and its unreasonable requirements have created “a tense social atmosphere” seriously plaguing the company’s finances and flight schedules.
AMPL acknowledged it has been engaged with RAM’s management in a “twenty month-long unproductive social dialogue” amid deteriorating working conditions. But, AMPL asserted, its pilots have been doing their best to perform their duty and avoid wronging “loyal” passengers.
“We, aircraft commanders and crew members, want to seize this opportunity to thank passengers who have honored us with their loyalty and trust,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, RAM has been losing MAD 20 million daily since July 18, according to management sources at the company.
