IPG accuses Air India management of backing out of commitment

The Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG) has accused Air India management of going back on its commitment and failing to reciprocate the "goodwill gesture" of the pilots who called off their near two-month long strike and returned to duty on Wednesday. (See: Air India pilots to call off strike immediately)

In a statement late yesterday, the IPG said that in their talks with the conciliating officer and chief labour commissioner (CLC) N K Prasad, and other officials, the Air India management expressed its "inability" to make any commitment on the reinstatement of pilots or addressing issues raised by the pilots.

IPG general secretary, EA Kapadia said, the Air India management requested the CLC (Chief Labour Commissioner) for more time and failed to reciprocate IPG's goodwill gesture of calling off the agitation.

He added that the CLC had recorded the stance of the carrier in the matter and would report the same to the Delhi High Court at a hearing scheduled Monday.

The pilots owing allegiance to IPG called off their stir following Air India management assuring the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that it would "sympathetically" consider their grievances.

According to the directives of the high court, the representatives of the de-recognised IPG were to meet Air India officials and the CLC to discuss reinstatement of the sacked pilots and resolution of their grievances.