New Delhi: The Delhi High court has restrained Air India employees from continuing with their strike.
The court has imposed a stay on the ongoing strike and also on the strike that they had proposed to undertake from May 31.
The stay will be on in place till July 13, the next date of hearing.
Following the stay, if the employees don't return to work, they can be held guilty of contempt of court.
The stay also makes it easier for the airline to terminate the services of the employees.
The National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL) had moved a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the strike by Air India employees.
The airline earlier on Wednesday moved Mumbai High Court challenging the flash strike. The government made it clear that Air India is free to take tough action against the striking employees.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the AI management is free to take whatever action they consider necessary and that the government will back them. The minister hinted at tough action which includes suspension or even dismissal. (
Read: Take 'strong' action against striking employees, says Patel to Air India)
Three days after the Mangalore crash, the worst in India in a decade, some Air India unions went on strike on Tuesday against a management gag order. But despite the inconvenience caused, this time they may not have their way.
Sources told NDTV that the Air India strike had been discussed at the highest level. In fact, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee called up Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and has apparently told him that it's time for some tough action including dismissal of union leaders who have called the strike.
As many as 89 flights in both the domestic and international sectors have been cancelled. These include 24 flights from Delhi, 37 from Mumbai, six from Kolkata, 13 from Chennai, three from Patna, one each from Jaipur and Ahmedabad, and two each from Bangalore and Hyderabad. (
Read: Air India cancels 89 flights)
Thousands of passengers have been stranded as a result of the flight cancellations on Tuesday and Wednesday, as this is the peak summer travel season and there are some destinations to which only Air India flies.
The strike will also cause losses to the carrier, as they will have to refund or rebook passengers of its cancelled flights. Many passengers, who were not aware of the strike and flight cancellations, reached the airport in the morning, only to get a rude shock.
Air India made arrangements with Jet Airways and Kingfisher to carry passengers while the strike continues.(
List of Air India flights cancelled on Tuesday)
The Indian Railways made special arrangements to set up "May I Help You" booths at major airports across the country to help stranded air passengers during the strike called by Air India employees. (
Read: Railways booths for stranded passengers)
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.