Pilots won’t freeze: Cold war with SriLankan bosses intensifies

The turbulent battle between pilots and the management of SriLankan Airlines continues with a new tussle over pay hikes.

The badly debt-ridden national carrier, which has again sought financial support from the Government, wants to freeze annual increments. The management has told the pilots: “We are currently negotiating with all the unions to freeze the agreed increments as a voluntary positive contribution towards the reduction of loss of the company in this critical time of restructuring.” The HR Division had sent the message “on the instructions of the Chairman (Ajith Dias) and the management.”

The Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka (APGSL) has told the head of the Human Resources Division in a reply that “We have not confirmed to you any such decision by our membership, in writing.” The Guild has pointed out that the “opinion of the majority of the body was that since the Senior Management has failed to show us a cogent restructuring plan, we must not agree to any such commitment.”

They have added, “in addition, given the present status quo between the Senior Management and the ALPGSL and your blatant disregard towards any positive contribution from us, we wish to state that we do not agree to any freezing of our entitlements.”

The SriLankan management has said in its response: “We will be having a second round of discussions with you at the ear- liest. After negotiations if any increments are decided on, the payments would be made with arrears as has been done in the past.”

Earlier, pilots protested over a ban imposed on them from using the Business Class lounge. In terms of an internal memo, only “the Chairman/Board of Directors, Chief Officers (including the CEO) and their eligible dependents travelling on official duty or vacation will be entitled to the lounge facilities at Colombo and overseas airports.”