Mumbai: It is just three days since the Mangalore tragedy in which 158 people died in an Air India plane crash. The airline itself has been in the doldrums for a while, but neither of those factors restrained thousands of Air India employees from going on a flash strike on Tuesday - all because of a gag order from the management. (
Read: Air India employees on strike, flights hit)
Through the day more and more flights were cancelled because 13,000 ground staff struck work after the management issued a show-cause notice on some key union leaders around noon. (
Read: List of Air India flights cancelled)
In the evening, Air India chief Arvind Jadhav threatened to take stern action against the striking employees. "We may terminate staff who started the strike," he told NDTV.
The Civil Aviation Ministry too is keen to send out a strong message against indiscipline and sources have told NDTV that the ministry will fully back Air India management on tough action against striking employees.
The striking employees claim the problem began after the Mangalore crash when the Air India management issued a notice to its engineers for speaking to the media. (
Read: Story behind Air India's strike, as told by engineers)
Air India's alleged failure is that it didn't use its engineers to certify a flight while ferrying passengers to Mangalore after the tragedy.
"We didn't want to go on a strike but we have all the right to strike. We won't go back till they don't withdraw the show cause notice given to us," said Dinkar Shetty, President Air Corporation Employees Union.
Airports across the country have been affected with flights being cancelled almost on the hour. And sources told NDTV that some flights will continue to be affected on Wednesday as well.
"What about passengers? I have got an urgent appointment in Kolkata. I have urgent legal material to take there. Now that will not happen and I'll lose huge business," said Mr Rai, a stranded passenger.
"I am here for my wedding. But now I expect it to be delayed, just because of this," said Shikha Patel, a stranded and dejected bride.
The Air India management is apologetic, but the talks with the unions have been unsuccessful so far. The airline insists they won't cave in to blackmail saying that the show-cause notice was issued because the employees violated internal policy. (
Read: Air India statement)
But whatever the reason, today was bad. And tomorrow may be worse. Air India is putting contingency plans in place in the metros, but they admit that they may not be able to do the same in smaller towns.