The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded the immediate revocation of the termination of and suspension orders against Air India's union activists.
Expressing grave concern at the “vindictive” attitude of the Air India management in spite of the withdrawal of the strike by the employees, the CPI(M) also demanded restoration of recognition to the Air Corporation Employees Union. The party feels that the management arbitrarily withdrew the union's recognition without assigning any reason.
In a statement, the CPI(M) pointed out that Air India Chairman, for the last several months, refused to have any dialogue and the gag order issued against the employees provoked the strike. The inconvenience caused to thousands of passengers was due to the policies adopted by the management. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel was also responsible for the present state of affairs in Air India, it alleged.
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The party wanted the management to immediately start negotiations with the unions to improve the services of Air India and address the employees' legitimate grievances.