More than 40 Air India pilots struck work on Saturday, by calling in sick, protesting non-payment of their dues
More than 40 Air India pilots struck work on Saturday, by calling in sick, protesting non-payment of their dues. As a result 36 flights operating in domestic and short-haul international sectors from Delhi were cancelled — AI operates about 60 flights from Delhi every day.
The strike was called off on Saturday night, after the airline management gave a detailed timeline for releasing salary and flying allowance arrears.
Sources in the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) said Air India management has agreed to release the striking pilots’ flying allowance for September by next week. The second trance of flying allowance (for October and November) will be given on February 20 and the remaining arrears cleared by March 31.
Flying allowance comprises 85% of a pilot’s pay package and AI has been unable to release pilots’ allowances and salary since September last year due to financial constraints.
On Saturday, the striking pilots, from the erstwhile Indian Airlines, did not report for duty saying they are mentally stressed because of non-payment of salaries. “We managed by merging flights and booking passengers on other airlines,” an Air India official said.
Meanwhile, civil aviation minister Ajit Singh said a part of the employees’ salaries will be paid by the end of next week. “I am meeting the finance minister on Tuesday and will discuss the issue with him. By the end of next week, may be we will be able to pay the salaries. I won’t say all the allowances and salaries will be paid but most of it should be paid,” he said.
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