A group of pilots at Air India have been disciplined after being accused by management of ‘sabotage.’
The pilots skipped work in protest at the non-payment of some on duty allowances.
The flight crew shortage forced the national carrier to cancel some flights at the weekend.
One pilot was fired while 15 more were given show cause notices
"Such attempts at sabotaging the progress of Air India and also instigating by mischievous elements shall not be tolerated under any circumstances and employees responsible for the same shall be liable for exemplary disciplinary action,"managing director Ashwani Lohani said.
The pilots are members of the Indian Commercial Pilots Association which is in dispute over pay anomalies and delayed layover allowances for crew working on international flights.
It recently gave Air India an ultimatum after rest days were not allocated.
"Our patience has run thin. We will wait until 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 any action as deemed fit to safeguard the interests of our members," ICPA said in a letter addressed to AI’s finance director.
IPCA represents about 750 commercial pilots, most of which are employed at Air India.
