Clear our dues before stake sale: AI pilots
Air India pilots are not opposing privatisation but want their salary dues of ~400 crore cleared before the government initiates likely steps on stake sale.
“We are not averse to privatisation per se. Our only concerns are that the airline should be sold at a fair value and our dues be cleared before the sale,” said a senior captain from the airline who did not wish to be named.
Both unions — Indian Pilots’ Guild and Indian Commercial Pilots Association — have taken similar positions on privatisation. Other employee unions differ. Seven other unions have warned the government of largescale protests if a proposal from NITI Aayog to privatise the national carrier is approved.
In January 2013, the management cut staff salaries by 25 per cent on an ad-hoc basis amid worsening financial conditions. The cut was done before the implementation of the D M Dharmadhikari committee report and unions’ challenged the move as it was done without a notice. The matter is pending before the Supreme Court.
Subsequently, revised pay scales have been implemented but not all employees are on board. Indian Commercial Pilots Association accepted the revised pay scales in 2016 and 25 per cent pay cut was restored. But arrears from prior period remain. The Indian Pilots’ Guild and a majority of the cabin crew are yet to accept the revised pay scale and still receive 75 per cent of emoluments.
“Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani gave a written assurance to all employees in 2015 that dues belonging to employees should be released,” said a member of the Indian Pilots’ Guild.
“The management is committed to pay the dues. We have not been able to clear them because we do not have the money. As a goodwill gesture, advance against arrears was paid to all employees last October,” an executive said.
Air India had estimated ~968 crore as employee claims following rationalisaton of salaries and recorded it as contingent liabilities in its 2014-15 balance sheet. This includes dues of all employees. The previous year figure was ~673 crore.