Thaindian News

Mumbai, Feb 23 (IANS) A group of pilots from the erstwhile Indian Airlines, which has now been merged into flag carrier Air India, Wednesday served notice of striking work March 9, an official said.The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) served the notice to airline Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav stating that they will strike work as the management had failed to address their grievances, including pay parity and better working conditions.

“We have served the notice before 14 days as per Section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act. We will strike work March 9,” ICPA General Secretary Capt. Rishabh Kapoor said.

The association has claimed that there are differences in salaries and working conditions of pilots of Indian Airlines and Air India and that the management has violated the memorandum of settlement signed in November 2009 on implementing the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.

The ICPA is also demanding payment of arrears since the date of merger of the two airlines in 2007. The ICPA represents some 800 pilots of the erstwhile Indian Airlines.

“Air India has advised ICPA to desist from any action which would breach peace and harmony and cause inconvenience to our valued passengers,” the company said in a statement.

“Air India is seriously engaged in turning-around the company and any such actions would only jeopardise these efforts. Air India is a public utility service and the notice issued by ICPA is in violation of the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, as also subsisting settlements with the association,” the airline added.