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Jet pilots to go on strike from Sept 7 midnight
Jet Airways pilots on Monday served a 14-day notice to the management to go on strike from September 7 midnight. This is for the first time in its sixteen years of existence that Naresh Goyal’s Jet Airways is facing a rebellion from its pilots union.
Jet Airways pilots on Monday served a 14-day notice to the management to go on strike from September 7 midnight.
This is for the first time in its sixteen years of existence that Naresh Goyal’s Jet Airways is facing a rebellion from its pilots union.
The decision for strike comes after the management refused to reinstate two senior pilots—captains Sam Thomas and D Balaram—who were sacked earlier this month on alleged anti-company activities.
The newly-formed union of pilots of Jet Airways, National Aviators Guild, had asked the management to reverse its decision but in vain.
“Monday at 1 pm, we served the notice as per provisions of Industrial Disputes Act,” said Girish Kaushik, president, National Aviators Guild. “The idea for strike was picked up from the management, which had threatened to go on strike demanding a cut in jet fuel prices last month.”
The guild claims that 680 Jet Airways pilots who are its members would join the strike and the airline did not specify the total number of pilots in its rolls. It could be 750. Jet Airways has 84 aircraft in its fleet and operates 365 daily domestic and international flights.
In case the strike happens, it would start affecting the airline’s operations from second day onwards, as the airline would handle the initial impact through its expat pilots who are not joining the strike. Jet may also deploy several of its management cadre pilots.
Jet’s statement is waited after the notice. However, on Saturday the airlines said that it was ready for any eventuality.
