New Delhi, May
9:
The current
agitation by a section of Air India's pilots has once again brought to the fore
the Government's failure to take strong action against the Maharaja's
employees. The most recent “industrial action” by the pilots has led to a 25-30
per cent decline in Air India's daily revenues.
Bailout package
As this is the
start of the peak travel season, the agitation, which has led to the
cancellation of over 20 flights and the suspension of at least 10 pilots, has
also meant the airline's image getting a severe battering yet again.
What is
damaging for the airline is that this “industrial action” comes at a time when
the Government is providing the cash-strapped airline more than Rs 30,000 crore
as part of a financial restructuring programme.
Further, the
Justice Dharamadhikari Committee, which was set up to smoothen the process of
integrating Indian and Air India employees when the two were merged, has has
expressed its commitment to implementing it.
Agitation by
the pilots could mean the bailout package is in trouble as the Government
releasing more equity to the airline hinges on the latter meeting a number of
milestones. These include increasing the number of hours an aircraft is flown,
increasing revenues from cargo and passengers, and improving customer satisfaction.
Bankers are now expressing concern about the airline being able to meet these
milestones.
Rumours are
rife that some political leaders are backing the striking pilots. This has also
been the case in the past, when pilots have placed their petty needs before the
future of the airline.
For instance,
as far back as two decades, Mr L.Vasudev resigned as the Managing Director of
Indian Airlines after the Government yielded to the demands of striking pilots.
The airline suspended a number of them for not reporting for duty only to
reinstate them when Mr Vasudev resigned.
On another
occasion, the airline management derecognised the Air India pilots union only
to recognise it after the pilots called off their agitation.
Way forward
Then, during
UPA's first tenure, the Government was ready to declare a lockout in Air India
after a section of the pilots went on strike.
A senior
government official was on his way to Delhi to sign the order for the lockout,
but the decision was reversed even before he landed in the Capital. And, a
golden chance of setting the affairs of Air India in order was lost.
Perhaps the
Government should use the recent agitation to show it is serious about the
well-being of Air India. Suspending pilots and then reinstating them again after
a compromise is struck is no solution. Neither is succumbing to political
interests, which are allegedly backing the agitating pilots.
Instead,
sacking the striking pilots would send out a first clear message that it is
serious. Taking a more long-term view on curtailing international operations
and running limited routes efficiently could be another step. But is the
Government ready to take such harsh measures?
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