There was no end in sight to the 49-day-old Air India pilots strike with the government today making it clear that they have to return to work “unconditionally” and the pilots insisting that sack orders be withdrawn immediately.
“We want them to come back (to work). All they have to do is to come back unconditionally to work. They never gave a notice (of going on strike). High Court has said it is illegal. I don’t even know what the issues are. They don’t know themselves. So, what can we do?” Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said.
The pilots, who are on a 48-hour hunger strike here, alleged that the minister was speaking in one voice and the airline management in another.
“There is a clear disconnect between the two,” Tauseef Mukadam, Joint Secretary of the India Pilots Guild spearheading the agitation, told reporters.
“On the one hand, the minister says come back to work, on the other hand they are talking about more terminations. There is disconnect between what the minister says and what the management is doing,” he said.
Mr. Singh said the ministry is reviewing all the routes to check where Air India is losing money.
“We are considering even shutting them (flying on those routes) if we can’t improve (the service),” he said.
He maintained that any Air India pilot — who is on strike, or was sacked or faced action from the courts or referred to a Air Force doctor for calling in sick — is welcome to join back.
On a lighter note, Singh said, “They have the right to go on hunger strike. It will be good for their health. It is (only) for 48 hours anyways.”
The pilots’ representative maintained that the agitation could have been resolved in “three-four days” and not continued for 50 days had the government talked to them.
Mr. Mukadam alleged that the government is making “insensitive statements.”
“The strike has led to mounting losses of Rs 500 Crore to Air India. Instead of flying 4,000 seats per day it is flying only 1,000. There has been loss of revenue also as out of 20 Boeing 777, 14 are parked in Delhi and not being flown,” he said.
He demanded that the terminations should be withdrawn before the pilots are asked to end their strike.
The Civil Aviation Minister is taking the right stance. Mr. Singh do not back off. Slowly but surely replace these strikers with seasoned Indian Airlines pilots and start hiring for replacement pilots for the IC crew. This is a tragedy what these so called professional have done to Air-India. Even if the International operations suffer,fire these clowns and build the new Air-India on a much stronger foundation. We wish you luck Mr.Minister and all the loyal staff at AI.
Mr. Singh said the ministry is reviewing all the routes to check where
Air India is losing money: Everyone common man knows as to how AIR
India is being ripped by the ministers, ex-ministers and all
adminisitrative staff of the govt. They should stop this free tkts.
business which is consuming almost 40% to 50% of the operational cost.
The worst is air india staff are not paid for about 5 to 6 months and
mr singh expects them to be happily working, common Mr. sing, will u
do it??? There are lot of issues-unwanted wastage of money. If the
govt. hands over the airlines to pvt. operators I am sure Air India
will be managed better. Similarly over staff is another issue!!!!!!
The service is so horrible if u happen to be an INDIAN!!!! Pathetic
behaviour of ground staff.
Fault lies with the Minister Ajit Singh who mishandling the issue from the begining.He should be sacked along with recalcitrant striking pilots.The PM is neither exercise control over the Minister nor strking pilots.Pilots genuine grievances should be cared for.It is a shame that national airlines is off the air for a long time.Minister can be replaced at any time and at any stage,but Pilots are made by years of hard training.Pilots should also be realistic in voicing their grievances.
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