To avert strike,AI brass,pilots union meet today

“They (Air India management) have repeatedly flouted the deadlines agreed to. We haven’t received any interim package yet,” said ICPA general secretary Rishabh Kapoor. ICPA had twice deferred the March 9 strike notice following reconciliatory proceedings.

The union has been demanding parity in pay and working conditions with those flying bigger planes on international routes. It has now issued a directive to its members to wear black badges to protest against failed assurances and corruption by the management,said Kapoor. It has also asked members to adhere to the rulebook and not accept flights which do not follow the operating manual.

Meanwhile,the management has decided to crackdown on protesting pilots and has issued an internal circular identifying those who wear these black badges.

“Action may be taken against those tarnishing company’s image,” said a senior management source. While some demands of the union are justified,he added that the company is facing a severe cash crunch and is in no position to implement a hike as of now.

“We are waiting for the Justice Dharmadhikari report on the issues raised by the union,which is likely to be submitted by September-end. It is difficult to agree to any piecemeal approach as of now,” the source added.

The union has claimed that with some routes being dropped,the flying hours of pilots have come down considerably,thereby hitting the compensation.

The management had agreed to submit an interim package to the civil aviation ministry by March 31 in the second round of conciliatory talks.