Air India pilots threaten strike from 2 April

As the stand-off between the pilots and the Air India management over unpaid dues shows no signs of resolution, eight unions of the employees of the national carrier have threatened to launch an indefinite strike from 2 April.

Pilots hardened their stance following failure of talks between the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) and the airline management today.

The IPG, which claims support of seven unions, has also sought the intervention of prime minister Manmohan Singh.

The pilots say, they have not been paid even the basic salaries for the months of February and March.

The pilots complain they were under tremendous pressure due to non-payment of dues for several months, and would now go on a strike from 2 April if their dues were not paid.

''We will no longer be able to bear this agony which has been thrust upon us for no fault of ours. Therefore, we reiterate that if the management continues to withhold our legitimate wages, we will not be able to discharge our duties from April 2. We appeal to you for your kind and urgent intervention to resolve the situation,'' the unions said in a joint memorandum to prime minister Manmohan Singh.