Indian flag-carrier Air India’s (AI) long-haul flights on international routes continued to be crippled as the pilot strike enters the 15th day, overshadowing the carrier’s Boeing 787 delivery later this month.
Pilots from the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have hardened their position and so has the government. The minister for civil aviation Ajit Singh invited the airline’s other 13 unions to a meeting but refused to talk to the striking pilots group. More than 100 pilots have already been sacked.
The pilots’ sickout is a result of the government of India’s decision to merge India’s two public sector airlines—Indian (IC), which ran domestic and regional routes, and AI, which operated medium- and long-haul international flights. Though the airlines were merged by government diktat four years ago, they remain deeply divided. Both had completely different pay scales, promotion policies and work cultures.
AI was started by the Tata group in the 1932 and later nationalized by the government. IC was formed by merging half a dozen small domestic carriers that operated in the 1950s. Despite the merger, employees in almost all sections continue to work as if they belong to two separate carriers.
In what may seem like a bizarre situation to outsiders, pilots from the AI part of the airline are objecting to the management’s decision to send their brethren from IC for flight training on the 787.
Pilots from IPG said if pilots from the other group are allowed to fly the 787s, they will lose out on growth opportunities. The loss-making airline is shrinking its fleet and is likely to lease out more aircraft as it struggles to stay afloat. The strike has cost the airline about $40 million so far.
The government has appointed a committee, led by retired judge DM Dharmadhikari, to evaluate the salary structures of employees and suggest a new parity structure. Discussions continue with the unions to bring in a new common structure so employees will have similar conditions of employment.
Article Source : ATW Daily News
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