Conciliation proceedings to end Jet pilots' stir

Jet Airways pilots and the management were on Friday working out a settlement to end their four-day old stir as the two sides held marathon talks before the Chief Labour Commissioner to break the deadlock that has severely disrupted flights affecting thousands of passengers.

Jet Airways pilots and the management were on Friday working out a settlement to end their four-day old stir as the two sides held marathon talks before the Chief Labour Commissioner to break the deadlock that has severely disrupted flights affecting thousands of passengers.

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The pilots and the management representatives came face to face for the first time since the stir started on Tuesday in the backdrop of a broad understanding reached by them last night through the mediation of Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam and some others.

Labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge said he was confident of a solution, which he said he is expecting "within 48 hours."

Besides Chief Labour Commissioner S K Upadhyay, the conciliation proceedings are being attended by Jet executive director Saroj Dutta, CEO Hafiz Ali and head of operation Capt Mohan.

The pilots' body National Aviators Guild (NAG) is being represented by its president Capt Girish Kaushik and Capt Sam Thomas. Kaushik has expressed confidence of a quick solution.

As per the broad understanding, all the four sacked pilots are to be reinstated and the chargesheets issued against some of the agitators will be withdrawn while the Registrar of the Trade Unions will look into the fulfilment of criteria of registration of the NAG.

On their part, the pilots will join their duties once a formal agreement is arrived at before the Chief Labour Commissioner.

Late on Thursday night, Jet chairman Naresh Goyal met Nirupam following which the broad understanding was arrived at.

The outlines of this understanding were later approved with some changes by agitating pilots in Mumbai.