NAGPUR- AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) Technicians have called off the strike scheduled for April 23, 2024, after management agreed to all the major demands.
All India Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Union (AIAMEU), representing the Technicians and AIESL management, signed a Memorandum of Settlement on April 12, 2024. To know the reason for the strike, Click Here.
AIESL Technicians Strike Called Off
Actually, I received this update on the same day but was waiting for more clarity to give you a better understanding of what happened with the exclusive interview, as always.
Memorandum of Settlement arrived under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, read with Rule 58 of the Industrial Disputes (Central) Rules, 1957, at Nagpur on 12th April 2024 between the All India Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Union (in short AIAME Union) and the AI Engineering Services Ltd., New Delhi over the issue of notice of strike given by the AIAME Union vide their letter No. AIAMEU/2024/08 dated 08.04.2024 received through email dated 08.04.2024 over the charter of demands reg.
Summary of Reason for Strike
The AIAME Union vide their letter No. AIAMEU/2024/08 dated 08.04.2024 has submitted a strike notice which inter-alia contains the following charter of demands:
1. Promotion: The union alleged that even after about 7 years of joining, no company has awarded promotions, which has led to this frustration and demoralization.
2. New Service Level Agreement: According to the union, the service level agreement is discriminatory, and there is a disparity in notice period and benefits.
3. Revised salary for technicians who have completed 2-3 years of service: It was promised that the salary of technicians who have completed 2-3 years of Service would be revised. However, the technicians are still awaiting overdue salary revisions, which is unjust and unethical.
4. Uniform discrimination: Unilateral changes to uniform policies without prior consultation for consent demonstrate a lack of transparency and accountability.
5. Mendacious promises from the Management: During the last strike, it was discussed in front of ALC that management would establish a committee and help to address issues related to the FTE rule, Basic Salary revision, Career Progression Scheme, the inclusion of DA in salary, etc. within a period of 90 days. But the promise also turned out to be mendacious and showed the management’s lies.
Terms of Settlement
Bilateral discussions were held between the management of AIESL New Delhi and AIAME Union today on 12th April 2024, at MRO Nagpur, and after a detailed and long discussion it was mutually decided and agreed between the parties that:-
1. The AIAME Union is withdrawing its strike notice issued to the management of AIESL, New Delhi, vide their letter No. AIAMEU/2024/08 dated 08.04.2024 sent vide email dated 08.04.2004 to the CEO and CHRO AIESL, New Delhi, vide which it proposed to go on strike on 23.4.2024;
2. Fitment of Pay as per new Salary Structure of FTEs as per circular No. AIESL/CHRO/2023/64 Dated 24.11.2023: The management of AIESL has agreed that the pay of Technicians employed in the AIESL shall be revised as per the above letter dated 24.11.2023 and shall be implemented at the earliest, preferably by the month of April Salary subject to execution and submission of new SLA by the concerned employees;
3. Amendment in the new Service Level Agreements (SLA): The union’s representative has objections to paragraphs 11.2 (g and h) of the new SLA. However, after a long discussion, the management of AIESL has agreed that the said paragraphs of new service level agreements shall be modified as given below in place of the existing new SLA:-
“Para 11.2 (g): Frequent Refusal to do overtime; Para 11.2 (h): Shall be omitted;
Exclusive Interview with AIAMEU Secretary
I asked Prashant Kumar about his take on a settlement with AIESL Management. Replying to it, he said,
“This is a big victory in the Indian AME field and by the AIAMEU union; without going on strike, the management agreed to all of our major demands, including Promotion, Better Career opportunities, and SLA Change.”
After this, I asked him what next for Union, and he said,
“Now our aim is to unionize all the staff working in the maintenance field in India, including those working in airlines and MROs.”
Finally, he thanked everyone who made this possible, including technicians, staff, and media professionals.
Bottom Line
We must appreciate the speedy response from AIESL Management and should thank them for this great decision for the betterment of technicians and the company ultimately.
This is a big win, but we must unite together for more strength. If we are united, our voice will be heard by management, which will work in favor of all of the employees.
So we already have a telegram channel for the AIAMEU union, and all those working in the AME field in India can join it here: Telegram: Join Group Chat
Finally, thanks for supporting us and the AME field, and keep up the good work; share this with your friends and colleagues to unite and have a strong presence in the country.
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