New Delhi:
As the Air India pilots' strike entered its fourth day today, a worried Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh met the Prime Minister this morning 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 on Wednesday declared the strike illegal. After this, the airline's management filed a contempt of court application against the pilots. But the Supreme Court today 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.
Around 250 of Air India pilots remain on strike for the fourth day today. They began calling in sick early on Monday morning. The management then sent doctors to homes of at least 50 of them. "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. That is what pilots should consider."
"The main problem is how to make Air India stand on its feet...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," he said.
The pilots say the management has failed 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.
As a consequence of the ongoing stand-off, at least 12 Air India flights have been cancelled today already, and angry passengers say they have no information.
The management has sacked at least 46 pilots in the last three days for not reporting to work. But despite the extreme action, the pilots remain defiant.
KINGFISHER CRISIS: MALLYA THREATENS ACTION AGAINST PILOTS ON STRIKETo add to passengers' woes, pilots of Kingfisher Airlines too are on strike, with several pilots calling in sick in Delhi and at least 12 flights to and from the capital being cancelled. Kingfisher pilots claim they have not yet received salary for January even though they were promised that they would get it by May 9. In a fresh letter today, Vijay Mallya has threatened action against employees going on strike. "We will act firmly and decisively "he says adding, "We will not allow small group of misguided employees to derail and jeopardise operations."
Mr Mallya in the same letter has urged employees to ensure that the revised schedule is maintained stating that pending salaries are being paid.
Last night, Kingfisher began paying pending salary to its co-pilots and ground staff; the pilots say they are yet to be paid salary or arrears. At least 17 Kingfisher flights to or from Delhi were cancelled yesterday.
Kingfisher pilots have been not been paid salary since January, say sources. Reuters reported this week that owner Vijay Mallya wrote on May 5 to employees, stating that January salaries would be paid starting Wednesday this week. "It is my personal endeavour to not only clear the January salaries, but also clear a significant part of the February salaries by the end of this month itself," Mr Mallya wrote, according to Reuters.
The cash-strapped airline has been struggling to stay afloat despite massive debt. In the last fiscal year, it declared losses of 1027 crores. The Aviation Minister made it clear today that since Kingfisher is a private airline, they will have to mobilise funds on their own.