On the seventh day of strike, ICPA pilots refused to capitulate to sop offered by management, which promises to revoke suspensions if pilots return to work
On the seventh day of strike, ICPA pilots refused to capitulate to sop offered by management, which promises to revoke suspensions if pilots return to work
The strike by Air India pilots entered into its seventh day yesterday, with losses incurred crossing the Rs 100 crore mark.u00a0 "We haven't received exact figures of losses incurred due to the strike, but the average calculated loss points to approximately Rs 105 crore," a top official in the Civil Aviation Ministry told MiD DAY.
Letter to PM
Repeating their demands, ICPA members yesterday wrote a letter to the prime minister asking him to intervene in the deadlock. The letter, written by Rishabh Kapur, the general secretary of ICPA, highlighted the role played by Arvind Jadhav, the Air India CMD, for the present dismal scenario. "We apologise for the inconvenience caused to the general public because of our industrial action in Air India, but it is of extreme importance for the people to understand the circumstances under which the pilots have been forced to take this drastic step. It is open knowledge that Air India is being plundered under the leadership of Mr Arvind Jadhav.
Our lucrative routes have been given away to private operators, expensive airplanes have been taken on lease with no plans for their deployment, and Mr Jadhav has also shielded corrupt officials and connived to prevent their prosecution as per the law," said the letter. The letter also alleged that Jadhav was misleading the employees and the ministry, stating, "When he speaks to the honourable minister, he blames the employees; when he speaks to the employees, he blames the ministry and other board members."
Further deferral
The Delhi high court, which resumed the contempt hearing against pilots yesterday, deferred the hearing till May 25. The court also appointed senior advocate Sidharth Luthra to assist in breaking the impasse between the management and the agitating pilots.
Proposal
After the court deferred the contempt proceeding to May 25, the Air India management in a statement said that the suspension of pilots would be revoked after two weeks if they resumed work, complying with the high court's suggestion. "Despite the conciliatory approach of the Air India management and the constant urging of the Honourable Court, the pilots refuse to call off their strike.
The Air India management has assured the Honourable Delhi High Court that it would reconsider the termination of the pilots within two weeks, provided that they call off their strike," an Air India spokesperson told MiD DAY. Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi also reiterated that negotiations could only initiated when the pilots resumed work. ICPA protesters, however, outright rejected the management's proposal, calling it yet another ploy to lure the pilots. "We know the strategy and intent behind this proposal. The strike will not be called off till our demands are met," said an ICPA leader.
Grounded The total number of Air India flights cancelled on day seven: 47 arrivals and 43 departures
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