New Delhi:
The Air India pilots' strike has entered its fifth day today and there are no signs of any breakthrough yet. Yesterday, the airline terminated 25 more pilots for not reporting to work, taking the total number of sacked pilots to 76. But despite the strict action, around 250 of them still remain defiant.
As a consequence of the ongoing stand-off, at least 22 Air India flights have been cancelled today already, and thousands of passengers continue to suffer.
The pilots on strike are unhappy with the management for allegedly failing to give them the promotions that are due. They also say that it's unacceptable for Indian Airlines pilots to be trained to fly the new Boeing Dreamliner, which is meant to join the national carrier's fleet later this month.
In 2007, Air India was merged with Indian Airlines, the government-owned domestic carrier. Since then, pilots from the two airlines have clashed repeatedly over issues like parity in pay and seniority.
Meanwhile, in what can be seen as a shot in the arm for the pilots on strike, the executive pilots association of the erstwhile Air India has come out in their support. They have written to the Prime Minister asking him to intervene in the matter urgently and help restore normalcy soonest. Advocating the case of the pilots on strike, these senior pilots have also said that the management has violated the terms of merger of Air India and Indian Airlines.
In their letter to the PM, the executive pilots, who are also part of the management, have said that they regret he inconvenience caused to passengers. However, they said, they support the "cause" of the Indian Pilots Guild, the union which is leading the strike.
"Certain agreements which were undertaken at the time of the merger have not been honored. It is easier for an Indian Airlines pilot to become a commander in four-five years; an Air India pilot on the other hand needs eight to 10 years to become a commander," they have reportedly said in the letter.
The executive pilots have also complained that there is no clear cut policy on career progression. They have also sought an appointment from the PM to discuss the issue.
Worried over the ongoing stalemate, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday and apprised him on the stand-off. At the brief meeting in Parliament, the PM asked the minister to ensure that air fares don't rise because of the strike.
"I updated the PM on latest developments. Whatever we are doing is according to the government policy. He has asked me to ensure that fares should not be increased because of these strikes. The Cabinet has approved huge amount in the turnover plan to save Air India, but Air India family (union) should understand and co-operate," the minister told reporters.
The Delhi High Court had declared the strike illegal on Wednesday. After this, the airline's management filed a contempt of court application against the pilots. But the Supreme Court yesterday refused to entertain that plea. Instead, it advised the national carrier to sit with its pilots to sort out differences.
"I am not aware of what the Supreme Court has said. But we have always been willing to talk. However, we maintain that there is no need for the pilots to undertake an illegal strike," Mr Singh said when informed about the development in the top court.
The pilots began calling in sick early on Monday morning. "I am also hoping that the pilots get well, they are sick, I hope they get well," the minister said, adding that he was more worried about Air India "which was already on the sick bay may move to ICU."
He added that "the main problem is how to make Air India stand on its feet and how to make it profitable. And in that effort, all employees and all their unions will have to co-operate. Otherwise it (Air India) will not stay afloat. They have to realise that if they do not rise above their personal interest, Air India will sink and with that all of them will sink."
As a consequence of the ongoing stand-off, at least 22 Air India flights have been cancelled today already, and thousands of passengers continue to suffer.
The pilots on strike are unhappy with the management for allegedly failing to give them the promotions that are due. They also say that it's unacceptable for Indian Airlines pilots to be trained to fly the new Boeing Dreamliner, which is meant to join the national carrier's fleet later this month.
In 2007, Air India was merged with Indian Airlines, the government-owned domestic carrier. Since then, pilots from the two airlines have clashed repeatedly over issues like parity in pay and seniority.
Meanwhile, in what can be seen as a shot in the arm for the pilots on strike, the executive pilots association of the erstwhile Air India has come out in their support. They have written to the Prime Minister asking him to intervene in the matter urgently and help restore normalcy soonest. Advocating the case of the pilots on strike, these senior pilots have also said that the management has violated the terms of merger of Air India and Indian Airlines.
In their letter to the PM, the executive pilots, who are also part of the management, have said that they regret he inconvenience caused to passengers. However, they said, they support the "cause" of the Indian Pilots Guild, the union which is leading the strike.
"Certain agreements which were undertaken at the time of the merger have not been honored. It is easier for an Indian Airlines pilot to become a commander in four-five years; an Air India pilot on the other hand needs eight to 10 years to become a commander," they have reportedly said in the letter.
The executive pilots have also complained that there is no clear cut policy on career progression. They have also sought an appointment from the PM to discuss the issue.
Worried over the ongoing stalemate, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday and apprised him on the stand-off. At the brief meeting in Parliament, the PM asked the minister to ensure that air fares don't rise because of the strike.
"I updated the PM on latest developments. Whatever we are doing is according to the government policy. He has asked me to ensure that fares should not be increased because of these strikes. The Cabinet has approved huge amount in the turnover plan to save Air India, but Air India family (union) should understand and co-operate," the minister told reporters.
The Delhi High Court had declared the strike illegal on Wednesday. After this, the airline's management filed a contempt of court application against the pilots. But the Supreme Court yesterday refused to entertain that plea. Instead, it advised the national carrier to sit with its pilots to sort out differences.
"I am not aware of what the Supreme Court has said. But we have always been willing to talk. However, we maintain that there is no need for the pilots to undertake an illegal strike," Mr Singh said when informed about the development in the top court.
The pilots began calling in sick early on Monday morning. "I am also hoping that the pilots get well, they are sick, I hope they get well," the minister said, adding that he was more worried about Air India "which was already on the sick bay may move to ICU."
He added that "the main problem is how to make Air India stand on its feet and how to make it profitable. And in that effort, all employees and all their unions will have to co-operate. Otherwise it (Air India) will not stay afloat. They have to realise that if they do not rise above their personal interest, Air India will sink and with that all of them will sink."
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