Air India pilots threaten yet another stir on Nov 30

Mumbai, Nov 23: The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which represents a section of the pilots of the erstwhile Indian Airlines, has threatened to launch yet another agitation on November 30 if the government fails to honour its commitments made in May, an ICPA official said here today (Nov 23).

"We wrote two letters to Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi on September 23 and October 4 about pay parity and other irregularities. Our performance-linked incentives component of the last four months' salary has still not been paid.

Despite writing to them, they have not responded to our letters," the ICPA official who did not wish to be named, said. The official further alleged that the ministry is not serious about its assurance given to the pilots before they withdrew their ten-day strike on May 6.

"Since the ministry officials do not appear to be serious in resolving our issues, ICPA pilots are thinking of an agitation and have also not ruled out the possibility of another strike if their problems are not discussed before the November 30 deadline," he said.

The ICPA has also demanded that the government implement the Dharmadhikari committee report by this month-end and as well as stick to its assurance of expanding the interim settlement for pilots.

ICPA observes that any exodus of pilots would hamper the growth of Air India and create a shortage of commanders in the long-run. "ICPA is committed to cooperating with the Air India management and expects the same in return," the ICPA said in its letter to the minister.

PTI