Jet management and low-rung staffers want pilots, who make whopping salaries and enjoy perks, to be decategorised from labour class
Jet management and low-rung staffers want pilots, who make whopping salaries and enjoy perks, to be decategorised from labour class
As the deadlock between Jet Airways pilots and management continued, the airlines took an aggressive stand against its striking employees.
Seemingly at its wits end, the management now plans to turn to the Civil Aviation Ministry with a request to decategorise pilots from the labour class. Interestingly, most Jetu00a0 staffers are in support of the airlines' decision. 
According to the airlines, a pilot working with Jet earns anywhere between Rs 1.5 lakh to a whopping
Rs 6 lakh a month and enjoys a number of privileges (see box). Hence, he should not be permitted to join a union. But since the Jet pilots fall in the workman category they are within their rights to form one, go on strike against the company and approach the Labour Commissioner with their grievances.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
A disgruntled Jet Airways ground staff member, said, "The pilots are taking advantage of this situation and holding the company to ransom. They are causing inconvenience to the management as well as our customers."
"The labour category is not for employees whose salary is Rs 1 lakh per month, but for those who earn little. If pilots who earn fat salaries and get other privileges consider themselves as labourers and start forming unions, when will problems of real labourers be solved," added another Jet staffer.
Expert view
Experts from the industry also believe that the union should be dissolved.
"During times of recession when all industries, especially airlines, are struggling to survive, a review on the category of pilots and engineers can come as longtime relief to the aviation industry," said aviation expert Vipul Saxena.
Jet crisis over?
The Jet Airways management has reportedly agreed to reinstate the four sacked pilots. Chief labour commissioner S K Mukhopadhyay will facilitate conciliation talks between the management and the striking pilots in New Delhi today. The carrier was forced to cancel 230 flights yesterday after over 600 pilots reported sick.
Pilotsu00a0and privileges
>>18 free tickets for family per annum
>>Free stay in five-star hotels across the globe
>>Luxury cars at hand for conveyance
>>License insurance for Rs 20 lakh
>>Medical cover at hospitals u00a0across India
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
