Union urges pilots not to join bid for Air India

Friday, 06 Dec, 2020 0

Air India pilot unions have urged members not to participate in a bid to take over the debt-laden flag carrier.

In a letter addressed to pilots, the Indian Pilots Guild and Indian Commercial Pilots Association said they should not get involved in the airline’s disinvestment process as management has still not addressed concerns over ‘disproportionate’ pay cuts imposed on pilots.

It follows reports that Air India employees are setting up a group to bid for the ailing airline in partnership with a private equity fund.

"All pilots are advised not to acknowledge the process until the disproportionate 70% pay cut for pilots vis a vis Air India’s top management officials (10%) is addressed. Also there is no clarity on the payment of the illegally withheld 25% arrears due to the pilots to date whilst we approach the deadline for submission of bids for Air India," the letter said.

"While other major airlines in India have revised the pay cuts for its pilots, Air India being government owned is yet to address the ordeal faced by us."

Pilot unions believe pilots have been made scapegoats for losses incurred during the pandemic and have been disproportionately penalised compared to other work groups.

Unions are also demanding payment of arrears from a 25% pay cut dating back five years.

The government wants to sell 100% of Air India and Air India Express, and 50% of ground handler Air India SATS Airport Services.

Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor

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TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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