KUALA LUMPUR (June 9): In a last ditch attempt to save their jobs, the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) – which represents about 1,500 cabin crew members in Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) – is demanding the airline withdraw all termination letters to employees within 48 hours, failing which its members will hold protests at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.

"We demand MAS to withdraw all their termination letters in 48 hours and meet with Nufam to renegotiate the deals," Nufam president Ismail Nasaruddin told a press conference today.

Ismail declined to reveal the number of current and former employees who would take part in the protest, but added that it could involve a march to KLIA as well as a candlelight vigil at the Subang Skypark terminal to show solidarity for the terminated workers.

Ismail said the union deems the selection of staff to be terminated by MAS as "unjust" and "inconsiderate".

He also pointed out that the severance packages offered to terminated MAS employees were not in accordance to the collective agreements.

"People with potential are being terminated at the eleventh hour. Favouritism exists in MAS, (and) several staff were fired by a bias selection process," he alleged.

Ismail did not rule out the possibility of resolving the issue through legal proceedings.

"There are several ways to resolve this, but we will work with our legal team first. Our main priority right now is to get MAS to renegotiate (the termination terms) with us. We want engagement," he added.

Nufam also condemned that MAS' restructuring process as not being transparent.

"We asked the HR (Human Resources) to give us the breakdown of those who have been terminated, but the request was not attended," Ismail said.

"So far, there have been no attempts by Khazanah (Nasional Bhd) nor (MAS chief executve officer) Christoph (Mueller) to talk to us even though we are a legitimate union," he added.

Due to the fact that Nufam's claim for recognition is pending judicial review at the High Court, it is not recognised by MAS, and therefore has not been engaged or consulted on employee related matters.

Ismail also said Nufam has submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Human Resources regarding its request to MAS to withdraw all termination letters, and renegotiate with all unions.

"This is a total discrimination on MAS employees, therefore we will protest until all conditions are met," he said.

Asked if Nufam would step in to facilitate terminated employees to get a job in other airlines, Ismail said the union's current focus is to get them back to work in the new Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB).

MAS, which had been declared "technically bankrupt" by Mueller, is shedding 6,000 of its 20,000 staff as part of a plan to restructure the ailing airline.