New Delhi:Air India executive pilots on Wednesday called off
their strike after the government assured them it would to look into their grievances. Addressing a press conference here, representative of the striking pilots Captain VK Bhalla
said: "We have called off the strike. The strike is being called off in view of
the assurances by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel that status quo will continue
on issues. The Prime Minister asked the Civil Aviation Minister to intervene,
who has given us an assurance via the media that there would not be any cuts in
the salary. The pilots will resume work with immediate effect.". He also
thanked the Prime Minister for intervening in the crisis. Yesterday, the Prime
Minister's Office (PMO) directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India to
find an early resolution. Welcoming suspension of pay cuts, Captain Bhalla said
that full support would be given to Air India management. Reacting to inconvenience
caused to passengers, Captain Bhalla, who is spearheading the stir, said: " I
apologise to the passengers for the inconvenience." The pilots began their strike
on Saturday, weakening the turnaround plan of the ailing carrier.
The Govt also warned of strict action if the pilots did not report for duty by 5 pm Wednesday. According to sources, a certain section of the pilots
are still unwilling to return to work. Action could include the sacking of the pilots, or the revocation of their licence to fly. The pilots began their strike on Saturday, weakening the turnaround plan of the ailing carrier. Many passengers were left stranded with the national carrier being forced to cancel both domestic and international flights. Earlier this
month, hundreds of pilots at India's largest private carrier by passengers, Jet
Airways (India) Ltd went on mass sick leave for six days to protest against the
firing of two pilots instrumental in forming a pilots' union.
