The Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Chawla today reviewed the contingency plan for the proposed strike by the Air Corporation Employees’ Union of Indian Airlines on 18th May 2007, with the CMD, Indian Airlines, senior officials of the Ministry and Indian Airlines.
It was decided at the meeting that the Indian Airlines and the Ministry will make all possible efforts so that the traveling public is not inconvenienced. The Airlines has a detailed contingency plan in this regard which includes issuing travel advisory asking the people to travel light as well as report early for checking-in, seeking support of the Airports Authority of India and the CISF, setting up facilitation counters at the Airport, reducing cargo bookings etc.
The Government and the Indian Airlines is committed to a reasonable solution to the demand for wage arrears for which the Employees’ Union proposes to go on a strike. However, it has been firmly decided not to consider any unrealistic demand. The Management will take a tough stands in case of disruption of traffic movement tomorrow. The Management has also decided to lodge FIR in case agitating workers resort to physical violence.
The Airlines has already issued notifications that the agitational action by the employees is illegal particularly in view of the matter already being seized in conciliation of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Government of India. In view of this, any employee participating in such action will not be entitled to salary/wages for the day besides withholding of payments under Productivity Linked Incentives Scheme for the entire month in addition to any other disciplinary action that the competent authority might deem fit to initiate. The Central Labour Commissioners has commenced conciliation proceedings and the first round was held today. He has impressed upon the representatives of the employees union to reconsider their plan to go on mass casual leave on Friday, the 18th May, 2007.
The employees have also had prolonged discussions with the top managements of the airlines.
MC/GK
(Release ID :28035)