Air India pilots call off 58-day-long strike

All agitating pilots to be reinstated; to rejoin duty within 48 hours

New Delhi, July 3:  

Air India pilots today told the Delhi High Court that they would end their strike and rejoin work in 48 hours.

This followed the management’s ‘assurance’ — after the court’s directive — that the pilots’ grievances would be considered favourably. It will also include reinstatement of the 101 pilots (including the 10 office bearers of the Indian Pilots Guild) terminated during the 58-day strike. In all, 434 pilots participated in the stir.

Meanwhile, the pilots who were sacked during the strike would submit reports showing their willingness to rejoin work, the court was told.

Amicably settled

The court had earlier asked the management to sympathetically consider the pilots’ grievances and to settle the dispute.

Disposing of the pilots’ petition, the court asked both sides to appear on July 5 before the conciliator, the Chief Labour Commissioner.

The agitating pilots claimed that the management’s move to sack their colleagues and derecognising their union created a “hostile environment”.

The management contended that the pilots disobeyed court orders and said that it would sit across to talk to the pilots only if they ended the strike without pre-conditions.

The management also said the airline was suffering losses of Rs 5 crore daily and the public has been put to hardship due to the cancellation of flights following the strike. The total losses are estimated at Rs 600 crore due to the strike.

The AI pilots went on the strike alleging that the management was not protecting their ‘seniority’ and experience. Following AI’s merger with domestic carrier Indian Airlines, pilots were also considered for training including for the Boeing Dreamliner, which the Air India pilots opposed, claiming they were ‘senior’ and more experienced.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Ajit Singh, hoped the striking AI pilots would call off the strike immediately and rejoin duty within 48 hours as per their commitment to the High Court. He said the Government was always willing to consider the grievances of the pilots, including reinstatement of the AI pilots. In a statement, he said the Government is committed to the welfare of the AI employees, including the pilots, and at the same time revive Air India to its past glory.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article3599515.ece