Management
asked to be prepared to hire more
New Delhi, May
25:
The agitating
Air India pilots have been told that their industrial action could put payment
of wage arrears in jeopardy. The arrears were promised to be paid in June.
“Air India
promised to give wage arrears in June, but it was pointed out to the pilots
that due to their actions this might not happen. I also reiterated the
Government stand that no talks can be held with the pilots as long as they
continue with the agitation. It has been 15-16 days, in fact a bit longer since
the agitation started. We are not going to be vindictive. But they have to come
back to work,” the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Ajit Singh, told newspersons.
The agitation
is leading to a daily revenue loss of between Rs 12 and 15 crore for the
airline.
Sections of Air
India pilots have been suddenly reporting sick since earlier this month
severely disrupting scheduled long haul international operations.
The Minister
said he agreed to meet the pilots as some of them had sought the appointment in
their individual capacity. The management has derecognised the Indian Pilots
Guild, the apex body of the Air India pilots that is leading the agitation.
The pilots were
also told that the management has been asked to be prepared to hire more people
in case the agitation does not get over soon. The fact that the agitation was
not only leading to a huge financial loss but also hardship to passengers who
were booked to fly with airline was also emphasised to the pilots.
The Minister
has already indicated that the Government is willing to take back the pilots
whose services have been terminated provided they reported back to work. The
management has terminated the duties of 101 pilots till now for participating
in the industrial action.
The meeting
with the Minister came a day after the IPG wrote to Mr Singh seeking an
audience.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article3456986.ece
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