The stage seems set for another showdown between the management and pilots of Air India (AI). A section of Kingfisher Airlines pilots has already stopped flying and, now, the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), which represents AI pilots, has also threatened its members may refuse to fly from April 1, if all pending salaries and allowances are not paid by then. However, the union has not called for a strike.
Jet Airways’ pilots had decided to wear black arm bands on duty from Thursday to protest delays in salary. But that has been put on hold. According to sources, the airline’s chairman, Naresh Goyal, is likely to meet the pilots in a day or two to address their concerns. A spokesperson of the airline said the salaries were being paid according to the pre-determined schedule and 75 per cent of employees had already been paid in March.
In a letter, to AI Chairman Rohit Nandan and civil aviation ministry, the IPG has pointed out that basic salary and layover allowance has not been paid since December while flying allowance is pending since November. “This amounts to withholding approximately more than a quarter of yearly emoluments. This non-payment has caused tremendous hardship to our members,” IPG president Jeetendra Awhad said.
“The financial hardship caused by the non-payment of salaries for such an extended period may hit the ability of flight crew to safely discharge their duties,” Awhad said, adding that the members had informed the union about their inability to operate flights from April 1 owing to mental stress.
IPG has around 450 members who fly the international routes. Co-pilots earn about Rs 2.3 lakh in salaries and allowances and commanders make up to Rs 4 lakh each month. "We have not been paid for last three months and Rs 10-12 lakh is due to us. We will adopt the stance of no pay no work,'' a commander said.
Meanwhile, Kingfisher Airlines pilots are readying for a strike if their salaries are not paid by next Monday. The airline pilots do not have a union but sources said the pilots are building consensus amongst themselves to stop flying totally from March 12. Twice in fortnight airline chairman Vijay Mallya wrote to employees that he his arranging funds to clear tax dues and pay salaries.
Earlier, CEO Sanjay Aggarwal, too, wrote to them. Last Thursday he also met pilots and appealed to them not to stay away from duties which would potentially affect operations.
The airline, however, denied it was planning to shut operations because of protests.