In the argument about pay rises, Air India pilots on strike are faced with contempt notices. The Delhi Court issues the notes to nine pilots refusing to return to work yesterday, which marked the seventh day of the strike.
Justice BD Ahmed, head of the bench leading the court case, claimed that the groups bargaining powers were decreasing every minute. He tried to threaten pilots on strike by calling the contempt notice a stigma that will not enable them to find employment in the future.
Civil Aviation Minister, Vayalar Ravi refused talks with the pilots unless they reported to work. The Airline announced a ‘no work, no pay’ notice today concerning all pilots on strike. Still, strikers remain resistant.
As a result of the strike, Air India had to cancel over 90% of its domestic flights and transfer passengers to Alliance Air, their sister budget carrier. The airline is so severely hit that it considers bringing retired as well as sacked pilots back into employment. To continue crucial routes in the north-east or in between metros, Air India was forced to wet-lease aircrafts at high costs. Bookings for the airline closed five days back.
Around half of the airline’s 1,600 pilots are on strike. Most of them joined the company in 2007’s merger from domestic operator Indian Airlines. Since the takeover, Air India has been handing over domestic routes to private provider, diminishing the pilots flying hours and pay.
With no reconciliation in sight, the court reopens hearing on May 25.
No comments:
Post a Comment