Raising concerns over anomalies in salary structure, Air India's pilots association ICPA has issued a veiled threat of striking work unless their problems are addressed immediately.
The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) has also said the airline has not corrected the anomalies despite the Civil Aviation Ministry asking the airline to sort out the issues in January this year.
"Our patience has run thin. We will wait till September 7 for the anomalies in pay and allowances to be corrected and international layover allowance to be paid up to date, failing which we will be forced to take action as deemed fit to safeguard the interests of our members," ICPA said.
ICPA represents around 750 pilots who operate narrow body aircraft and are from erstwhile Indian Airlines.
In a stern letter to Air India's Director (Finance) on Thursday, the association said it has been very patient only because of the commitments made earlier but are yet to be implemented.
"In spite of several assurances given by you in the past eight months to correct the anomalies in pay and allowances, you have failed to do the same even in the month of August," the letter said.
Addressing Air India, the association observed that "you seem to have developed a lackadaisical attitude, especially towards the pilots of erstwhile Indian Airlines".
The Ministry approved the pay and allowances for pilots of Air India on January 1 and "it is strange to note that even after eight months of the approval, you are unable to correct the anomalies".
ICPA said international layover allowance is yet to be paid for July and August.
Layover allowance refers to the grant given to crew members, including pilots, for overnight stays outside their home city as part of duty schedule.
"We do not approve the mode of payment of international layover allowance two months post operating the flight which is in violation of Income Tax Act as this allowance is supposed to be paid before the flight for expenditure at foreign stations," the letter said.
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