Air India Pilots may go on Strike

New Delhi: Air India pilots have said that they would be going on a strike from 24th November onwards. They have also sent the management a 14-day notice for meeting their demands, which includes payment of the dues that are yet to be paid. They also want parity to be restored in the payments made to the pilots of the erstwhile Indian Airlines and ones working for Air India by 10th of November. The executive division of the pilots’ association had not worked five days last September as a means of protest against their outstanding productivity incentives. Almost 400 pilots had reported sick as a result of which more than 300 flights had to be cancelled. In the letter sent on Monday, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association has cited the Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 as a means of authenticating their strike. Capt. R.S Otaal who is the Indian Commercial Pilots Association general secretary has expressed his dismay at the failure of talks with the management and is now looking for the full payment only. He said that several pilots have not received their payments from June and even the authorities are not listening to any suggestions whatsoever. He stressed that almost 800 pilots have been affected directly as a result of the non implementation of the 5th Pay Commission that came in force in January this year. A number of pilots are on the verge of emptying their bank accounts for sustenance as a result of this delay in payments. He said as long as the 5th Pay Commission was not agreed upon they would not hold any talks on salary deductions. They also wanted written assurance that there would be no more delays.