KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — MAS Employees Union (Maseu) has accused the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (NUFAM) of acting like “gangsters” by threatening to strike if the terminations of 6,000 airline employees are not retracted.

Maseu president Alias Aziz told local daily New Straits Times that staff of the beleaguered national airline could have discussions instead with other groups recognised by MAS and majority owner Khazanah Nasional Bhd, such as his own union, Malaysia Airlines Pilots’ Association, MAS Executive Staff Association, Sabah and Sarawak Airlines Union.

“I urge all MAS staff not to get involved in such activities,” Alias was quoted saying.

“Only gangsters do these kinds of things. This ‘perangai samseng’ (gangster behaviour) is not the culture of the airline,” he added.

Alias warned MAS employees that they could face criminal charges should they join the strike and said Maseu will not take part in it.

NUFAM president Ismail Nasaruddin said Tuesday that a strike will be held if the layoffs are not retracted in two days’ time.

MAS had on June 1 sent termination letters to the entire 20,000 MAS workforce where only two-thirds will be offered new jobs at the new entity, Malaysia Airline Bhd (MAB).

The new airline, a smaller entity, will only be able to accommodate about 14,000 employees.

Labour strikes are uncommon in Malaysia.