Terming the strike by Air India pilots as “illegal”, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Tuesday said the management of the national carrier would take appropriate action against those involved in the stir.
Mr. Singh said the pilots went on sick leave in the midst of their talks with the management of Air India which has led to cancellation of flights.
Four Air India international flights from New Delhi and Mumbai were cancelled this morning after about 100 pilots refused to join work.
“They are reporting sick. They have not given any notice for any strike. So whatever the Air India management rules and regulations, action will be taken accordingly,” Mr. Singh told reporters here.
“In the midst of the talks with the Air India management, they (pilots) started taking sick leaves because of which flights have been cancelled. If their talks with Air India have failed, they could have spoken to the Ministry or to me. They (pilots) have number of well-wishers,” he said.
Noting that Air India is currently undergoing a turbulent period and crores of public money is being infused to run the carrier, Singh said every section has grievances and that there are ways to find a solution.
“Strike is illegal. There is a way to launch a strike. Every section has grievances and problems. But there are ways,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the pilots should come to the negotiating table and resolve their issues through dialogue but not launch any strike.
“They can raise their voice, but it is important to continue the talks,” Mr. Singh said.
Air India has now come to the inevitable of being closed down. The
altest strike of its pilots is the last straw on the camel. The
financially distressed nation cannot affrode to pur goodmoney after bad
with no realisation ajmong the workers for giving their highest
produictivity. The nantion is behidn him regardless of political
convictions. Will the government even consider selleing th4e Air India
and bear any loss in its sale. It is better than ahving a festering sour
amidst us. The fat cats of Air India need to be taught a lesson.
Planning ahead is only means of countering deep pocketed organised
trade unions . The first milestone in such endeavour is putting people
of integrity and vision in position of authority of management. One
can not perpetrate an uncertain and anarchic setup for all to face in
terms of taxpayers resources and passenger discomfort.
Air India pilots get allowance of fixed 80Hr even when they fly only
20 hrs in a month. All because of weak and incompetent management who
have their children planted unethically . Recently one such son of
pilot was shown the door , though again without proper planning which
has boomranged on airline since CMD depends upon incompetent boossis
of personnel who only exercise their ego , rather than wisdom of
management. There are so many who have got their children through such
fraudulent means.Shrewd caste Vijay kalu Director/ kamu lal despatcher
had their son selected in alliance air when the monthly utilization
was mere 24Hr as against 125 stipulated by DGCA.
Talk also has a limit, what does one do if one does not get paid? Ministers remember the rules only when it comes to citizens benefit.
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