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AI pilots plan strike from Mar 9
A section of Air India (AI) pilots have threatened to go on strike from March 9 and have served a notice to the airline management.
A section of Air India (AI) pilots have threatened to go on strike from March 9 and have served a notice to the airline management.
The pilots belong to the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) — the biggest association of AI pilots, which commands a membership of around 800 pilots. ICPA, which consists of pilots belonging to the erstwhile Indian Airlines (IA), has cited wage disparity as the primary reason for this action.
“After merger of both the airlines (AI and IA), the present management had given various dates and deadlines to ICPA to ensure that salaries and allowances of all Air India pilots would be made by one single agreement. But the management failed to keep its promise and assurance every single time,” said the ICPA letter.
Pilots also alleged racial discrimination from foreign pilots who, they said, get much higher salaries.
“AI has advised ICPA to desist from any action which would breach peace and harmony. AI is a public utility service and the notice issued by ICPA is in violation of the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. AI has informed and sought the immediate intervention of the chief labour commissioner,” the airline said in a statement.
