Jet Airways pilots' strike continues, as Mumbai talks end inconclusively

Mumbai, Sep.12 (ANI): The impasse between the Jet Airways management and pilots continued on Friday evening, as the second round of talks held between the two factions here could not reach a final decision.

The Jet Airlines has reportedly given an offer letter containing some guidelines to pilots' group. As pilots wanted to discuss some of the points of the letter among themselves, they hope to tell about their decision by late Saturday evening or Sunday morning to the management.

"Efforts are on to settle the impasse amicably. We are also trying to reach an understanding about guild. So far, no solution could be reached," said pilots representative.

Those at the talks from Jet Airways included Executive director Saroj Dutta and Chief Executive Officer Hafiz Ali, while the members of the newly formed National Aviators Guild, Girish Kaushik and Sam Thomas, represented the pilots.

"Mr. Saroj Dutta was very magnanimous," he added.

"Yesterday, we were quite late in reaching the Labour Commissioner's office due to traffic and rains," he explained why the meet held on Friday in New Delhi remained inconclusive.

On Saturday, Jet Airways was forced to cancel 180 flights since morning because of the continued agitation.

On Friday, the eight-hour marathon talks in the national capital in the presence of Chief Labour Commissioner S.K. Mukhopadhyay remained inconclusive, as neither side was willing to give up its stand.

The striking pilots are demanding the reinstatement of four of their colleagues, stated to have been sacked because of their role in forming a new union to represent them.

Pilots also want the Jet Airline management to recognise the new union.

Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress MP from Maharashtra Sanjay Nirupam, mediating between the two sides, on Friday hoped that the stand-off would end within 48 hours.

During the impasse, as many as 1,058 flights had to be cancelled since Tuesday, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers, especially during the first two days of the agitation-when the pilots started reporting "sick".

The airline management had also moved the Bombay High Court, which passed an order Wednesday, restraining the pilots from resorting to any form of agitation.

Later, the airline also filed a contempt petition, which is scheduled to be heard on Monday. (ANI)