AI pilots to review strike decision

After threatening to go on a strike owing to delayed salary payment, one of the two pilots’ unions in Air India on Friday decided to review its decision on February 14.

After threatening to go on a strike owing to delayed salary payment, one of the two pilots’ unions in Air India on Friday decided to review its decision on February 14.

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The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) that represents pilots operating domestic flights, had earlier warned the management of a strike if the payments of their January salaries were not made by 5 pm on Friday.

The union after a marathon meeting in Delhi decided to reconsider the extreme step that could affect fliers across the country. “The dishonest management has once again deceived its 30,000 employees by giving us a wrong assurance,” said Captain Rishabh Kapur, general secretary, ICPA. “We have also decided to withdraw the unconditional support pledged to the company.”

AI spokesperson said the airline’s earlier commitment of making the payments on February 14 stands. The Indian Pilots’ Guild, the other pilots’ union, said it would wait till Monday before taking a strike call.

AI sacks Pawan Arora
After dilly-dallying for more than two months, Air India finally sacked Pawan Arora, the chief of the company’s low cost subsidiary Air India Express, on Friday. The AI board had decided to sack Arora last November after it learnt of his dubious work record before joining the airline.