Contract staff at airport threaten strike from June 1

Alleging no revision had taken place in their pay for the last five years,no provident fund,no medical facilities,no identity cards and a ‘step-sisterly’ behaviour by the Indian Airlines,over 500 contractual employees,across the country,of a subsidiary company responsible for the security of at least 60 international airlines,have threatened to go on strike from June 1. There are 300 staff on contract in Delhi.

As a mark of protest,the employees have been wearing black ribbons since May 20 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The strike is likely to affect air services as the contractual employees hired by the Indian Airlines Air Transport Services Ltd are responsible for X-ray and baggage clearing facilities at the passenger,cargo and courier terminals for several international airlines. The move can bring international flights to a complete standstill at Delhi and other international airports across the country.

Protesting employees are demanding permanent employee status. On June 1,employees will protest at the international terminal,then at the domestic terminal on June 2,and later at the Indian Airlines office. “Pilots can take off only after getting a clearance from us. We are giving our 100 per cent. Being contractual workers,however,our salaries have not been revised for the past five years,” said Pramod Kumar,general secretary of the employees’ union.

When contacted,an Indian Airlines spokesperson said there was little the company could do,as the protesting employees were hired on contract. “Security is a sensitive issue and the protestors are only making a poor show of their strenghth. There is little that can be done to cater to their demands unless their contracts are renewed,” a spokesperson said.