Deal in sight,pilots may be reinstated

The deadlock between Jet pilots and its management seemed close to an end with National Aviators Guild stating that a draft agreement between the management and pilots was being finalised.

The deadlock between Jet pilots and its management seemed close to an end with the National Aviators Guild stating that a draft agreement between the management and pilots was being finalised.

The agreement consists of broad parameters-based on which the pilots should be reinstated. Earlier in the day,pilots from the NAG claimed that over 500 of them had reported sick for duty.

We have to play the numbers game or else we won’t stand a chance, said a pilot not willing to be named. 197 domestic and 37 international flights were cancelled today, said a Jet official. What was significant on day three is the fact that even international operations to Europe and the United States were affected after the Gulf operations,most of which were halted on Wednesday.

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Meanwhile,NAG president Capt Girish Kaushik said he had a word with management representatives but still the issue remains unresolved as they said that they would discuss the issue. The moment they discuss the issue with me and take the boys back I will start operations within fifteen minutes, said Kaushik addressing the media.

In New Delhi,the Labour Ministrys attempts to find a way to end the standoff between the striking pilots and the management failed today with the pilots association staying away from a meeting called by the Chief Labour Commissioner,who has taken over the reconciliation process between the two sides.

While the pilots informed chief labour commissioner S K Mukhopadhyay they did not receive his notice for the meeting,sources said they chose to stay way as the talks were informal and it was not binding on them to attend.

Kaushik has,however,informed the Labour Commissioner that the pilots were ready to report for duty tomorrow if given an assurance that the matter will be settled within 48 hours.