Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/714702
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 AUGUST 2016 News 3 MIRIAM DALLI BOTH men started off as reporters, served as members of the European Parliament and went on to lead their political party; Malta- Today has now discovered that while Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition lead- er Simon Busuttil share similar tastes – both prefer Batman to Superman – they couldn't be more different. Admittedly, this is the silly season – as it is known in the news sector – and MaltaToday took the opportunity to sit down with both leaders for 10 minutes, engaging them in a light question and answer session. It turned out to be extremely revealing: Mus- cat thinks that Busuttil's best quality is that he "keeps himself fit" whilst Busuttil thinks that Muscat's worst quality is his "bluffing". Both men like what they see in the mirror and both believe in God. "I am a proud prac- tising Catholic," Busuttil adds. Both politicians are looking forward for their summer holidays, an opportunity to spend time with their children and loved ones; it is also an opportunity for Muscat to try new food. They both enjoy reading and while Muscat is currently learning about the history of Sic- ily condensed in 400 pages, Busuttil has im- mersed himself in the 'The Art of Political Lying'. 10 things we learnt 1. Muscat considers himself to be hard- working, fit and good-humoured; Busuttil describes himself as being "determined, de- termined, determined" 2. If they were to be fictitious characters, Muscat would choose to be Corto Maltese and Peter Pan whilst Busuttil would want to be Spiderman 3. If they could be invisible, Muscat would sit in Republic Street and listen to what the people are saying; Busuttil would use the op- portunity to see what his 19-year-old son is up to 4. Muscat's proudest moment was the in- troduction of civil unions; for Busuttil it was becoming leader of the Nationalist Party 5. When it comes to computer technology, Muscat prefers Windows as opposed to Bu- suttil, who prefers Apple 6. There would be no arguing if the two were to be in a room with Italian actress Monica Bellucci and Australian actress Nicole Kid- man: Muscat would choose Bellucci and Bu- suttil would go for Kidman 7. Both like watching House of Cards, pre- fer the Beatles to the Rolling Stones and enjoy their single malt 8. Despite their different political beliefs, both prefer Theresa May to Jeremy Corbyn as UK Prime Minister 9. Busuttil thinks that Muscat is "a good communicator" whilst Muscat thinks that Busuttil lacks a sense of humour 10. In the end, we learnt that Muscat is dif- fident about singing, but give Busuttil a tune and show him the lyrics, and you'll have him trolling Readers can watch the filmed interview on maltatoday.com.mt from Tuesday TIM DIACONO AIR Malta's pilots have been or- dered not to work on their days off, in an attempt by their union to pressure the national airline into releasing crucial details about the proposed deal that will see Alitalia take a 49% shareholding. Airline Pilots' Association Presi- dent (ALPA) president Dominic Azzopardi told MaltaToday that pilots will no longer report to work when called for duty on their days off, and that an end date for the industrial action has not yet been set. Air Malta has postponed nego- tiations on new collective agree- ments until 31 August, when it expects to have concluded discus- sions on its business plan with the Italian flag carrier. However, Dominic Azzopardi said that workers have a right to know certain details within the business plan, such as whether the fleet will be downsized and wheth- er any of them will be laid off. "If we know from now that say, 20 pilots will be laid off then some can start searching in advance new jobs with other airlines," he said. "We're not asking for the entire business plan, just for a general picture of what it will look like. Right now, we're all in the dark. They're saying that everything will be ready by the end of August now, but other set dates for discussions have not been adhered to." He dismissed tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis' promise not to leave any Air Malta em- ployees unemployed, arguing that pilots are seeking reassurances of their future in their specific ca- reers. "If Malta had a large military service, then perhaps some pi- lots could find jobs in the army's air force, but that is not the case. Does he expect pilots to work as secretaries in government depart- ments? It's insulting." 'Air Malta's CEO: from one cushy job to another' Azzopardi reacted cynically to Air Malta's new acting CEO Joe Galea's rallying cry in an email, in which he told the airline's employ- ees that "we're all in this together" and that "you have stuck together through thick and thin because of your belief that [Air Malta] can overcome the hurdles ahead". "[Galea] is a nice guy but he's landed a cushy job at Air Malta, after working at a cushy job at the Malta Tourism Authority," Azzo- pardi said, referring to Galea's stint as the MTA's director of international marketing in Ger- many. "I think he was being sarcastic when he wrote that e-mail. He's only just arrived here; who is he to preach to us about the need for unity?" he asked. "We may all be on the same boat but like the Titanic, he'll have another ship to jump on in case it all goes belly up, while we'll be left to sink." MHRA calls for pilots' restraint Reacting to ALPA's statement, the Malta Hotels and Restuarants Association (MHRA) reiterated that four weeks is too long a pe- riod for unions to wait for a meet- ing with the airline's management. "The tourism industry is prob- ably the main driver of Malta's economic success and Air Malta has a major role to play in this in- dustry. It is therefore incumbent on the two sides to this issue to meet and come up with solutions that are fair and equitable given the country's need for a success- ful national airline and the pilots' request to review their salaries," MHRA president Tony Zahra said. "Should a solution not be found, then the matter should be put to arbitration." Zahra said the airline's manage- ment should seek to meet the pi- lots union as early as possible as it is not correct to wait for 4 weeks for a meeting between the two sides. However, MHRA also called for pilots "to use only the force of argument in furthering their perceived claims and not the ar- gument of force which can only worsen situations." Zahra added that Malta's eco- nomic success has come about through the efforts of all stake- holders. "This success cannot be taken for granted and only through the continued constructive participa- tion of every stakeholder we can ensure that the country keeps moving forward for the benefit of all citizens. Actions which threat- en the tourism industry and there- fore the livelihood of thousands remain unacceptable for MHRA." tdiacono@mediatoday.com.mt Y a c h t i n g M a lta Yachting Malta Limited (C70360), a subsidiary of Projects Malta Limited is looking for strategic partners to develop yachting events. Entities are invited to submit an expression of interest for the organisation of yachting events ranging from power & sailing regattas, boat shows, awards, conferences, fairs, entertainment & social events. Yachting Malta Ltd will only consider proposals from entities, which submit a detailed presentation including a business case for initiatives, which cover the years 2017-2020. Entries are to be submitted to Yachting Malta via email on info@yachtingmalta.org by not later than Friday 30th September 2016. Yachting Malta retains the right to refuse any submission received. www.yachtingmalta.org Pilots ordered not to work on off-days as industrial action kicks in The likes and dislikes of the political leaders Sharing a light moment: Simon Busuttil (left) and the Prime Minister