The Tata Group-owned Indian FSC Air India is set to conduct a town hall meeting to discuss the grievances of its pilot and cabin crews regarding the proposed revised terms and conditions of service.
The meeting, to be held on April 25 at 1600 IST, is expected to be attended by the airline’s chief, Campbell Wilson, as well as other top executives. A similar meeting was held by Aix Connect, another airline under the Tata Group, on April 22.
Shortly after, the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG) advised their members not to accept the proposed revised terms of employment. Air India’s head, the Tata Group, is holding a town hall meeting to address the concerns of employees. Furthermore, this move comes after the two unions sent legal notices to Air India on April 21.
Air India Meeting over legal issues with Pilot Unions
Air India pilots have requested the intervention of Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran to resolve the disagreement over the airline’s recently announced work conditions and pay structure. The airline is currently working to address the concerns of its employees.
According to a senior Air India official, the airline has been in direct communication with its employees to address any concerns they may have about the new work conditions and pay structure.
The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG) jointly passed a resolution on April 24. In response to Air India’s revised terms and conditions. Stating that if any union member is terminated for refusing to sign the new conditions, the unions will go to “any extent” to protect the member until reinstated.
The unions have accused the airline of unjustly and illegally contacting pilots individually on the matter. In a notice sent to Air India’s chief human resources officer, the ICPA argued that, according to Indian law, individual settlements or agreements between management and individual workers are not legal, except in cases of termination or discharge from service.
Air India Comments
Air India officials are confident about addressing the concerns of their employees. Further, they noted that a significant number of employees have already signed the new contracts.
An Air India spokesperson explained that the revised pay structure for pilots and cabin crew is an effort to ensure parity across various groups, enhance productivity, and boost compensation.
Experienced pilots are recognized through designations as senior commanders and are offered a special monthly allowance. Subsequently, many pilots and cabin crew have accepted the new contracts. Which provide salary improvements and advancement opportunities.
However, Air India pilots have rejected the new pay structure. Which guarantees them 40 hours of flying allowance every month. Down from the pre-pandemic level of 70 hours, causing a major disagreement.
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