DECEMBER 23: Technical officers of the Airports Authority of India who threatened to resume their work-to-rule agitation on December 25 have been warned by the police against resorting to sabotage. Last Wednesday, S K Chanda, regional secretary, National Airports Authority Officers' Association representing the communications officers, was summoned by the airport police for a `friendly chat'. ``I was told that a complaint was filed with the police accusing us of sabotaging communications equipment,'' said Chanda.

During the work-to-rule agitation organised by the communications officers in November, crucial equipment like radar, very high frequency omni range and distance measuring equipment malfunctioned without being promptly restored, which resulted in flight disruption. A section of airport employees and private airlines had alleged that the equipment was sabotaged by communications officers. Chanda, who denied any sabotage, threatened to slow down maintenance of equipment if they were harassed by the police in the future. ``Instead of repairing faulty equipment, we will first ask the police and senior officials to certify that we are in the clear,'' he warned. ``If the management takes action against anybody in the next few days, we will go on a tool down strike immediately.'' The communications officers, who are demanding substantial increases in pay and allowances in the wake of similar hikes given to air traffic controllers, had called off their agitation after the AAI promised a package by December 24. Already, officers attached to the International Airports Division of the AAI are on a work-to-rule stir demanding pay parity with their counterparts in the National Airports Division.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.