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Air India pilots postpone strike by a week
Buckling under government’s pressure and some straight talk by the civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi during the day, the Air India pilots threatening strike from Wednesday agreed to postpone it by a week.
In a conciliatory meeting called by the chief labour commissioner between the protesting pilots and airline’s management, the pilots climbed down from their earlier stand. “Initially the pilots insisted on a 48-hour delay and management insisted on a 15-day period to work out an interim relief. Towards the end the pilots agreed to the seven-day period,” said an airline executive in the know. In fact, Ravi has directed the management not to buckle under the strike threat.
“While demands of the protesting pilots related to parity and working conditions are genuine, they are clubbing these with unnecessary issues like free tickets, thereby trivialising the genuine concerns,” said the source. Free tickets or passages are already being worked out and a temporary freeze was put so that parity for all could be decided upon, added the source. In fact, the management is said to have submitted an interim relief package to the minister for his approval. The package includes a proposal to allow a fixed salary component for Indian Airlines’ pilots, which as of now is based on number of hours flown.
“I have appealed to them and have also instructed the CMD Air India (Arvind Jadhav) to sort out all the administrative issues” Ravi said.
The Indian Commercial Pilots Association, representing around 800 pilots from the erstwhile Indian Airlines, had served notice on February 23 for striking work from March 9. The union claimed there were differences in salaries and working conditions of pilots of Indian Airlines and Air India. It also protested violation of memorandum of settlement signed in November 2009 on implementing 6th Pay Commission recommendations.
Reader's Comments(2) | Post a comment
Under no circumstances should the govt.buckle under the strike threat.But under no circumstances should the govt. forgive AI management for not doing what it should have, for the last 4 years,to integrate HR/pay parity and other adminstrative issues.After all,the CMD of AI is an "Indian Administrative Services" officer who are supposed to excel in administrative issues.However,this "IAS" officer,instead of focussing on the above issues went on to "manage" the business and flopped miserably.Eg.AI went in 4th position in market share,T3 shifting was a great drama at the cost of passengers.Had this CMD and all his predecessors focussed on the employee issue,things would have been much better with AI.The morale of employees is abyssmal with delayed salaries and indecisive HR management.Had the morale of employees been high,their pride itself would have carried AI to greater heights.Jadhav should focus on HR issues now and resolve ASAP,if AI has to survive.
Human value in any sector is vital. Human are emotional products. The then Minister for Civil Aviation withot proper planning gone for a Merger., which is the main cause for this dismay. He has gone out the responsibilities - leaving the Airline to sink. Great job done by the Minister - for which he has a promotion to Cabinet. Won't we not sort out first all the H.R. issues before Merger? After, Merger, planning for reshaping the national airline - is childish. Air India employees have got wage arrears from 1.1.1997 - whereas IA employees totally neglected. Who can take this? It is unfair. Now the authority says " No Money". This is not an exuse. If the natioanl airline to survive - please keet the employees in confidence rather than moving them pillar to post. Good Luck IA & AI employees. God alone can save you. Regards, KRN