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"We have officially started the process
of joining back. However, we have to first provide
affidavits to the high court stating that we are
ready and willing to join back our duties. The
affidavits are expected to be submitted by July
5," Rohit Kapahi, committee member of the
striking aviators' union Indian Pilots Guild (IPG),
told IANS.
The pilots also ended their indefinite hunger
strike which started here June 24. Five of the
11 fasting pilots were hospitalised.
The pilots' decision to end the strike came after
the Air India management Tuesday assured the court
that it would "sympathetically" consider
their grievances.
The court also told the pilots and Air India
management to appear before conciliating officer
and Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) N.K. Prasad
July 6 at 4.30 p.m. The court posted the matter
for July 9 when the conciliating officer will
submit a report.
"We also expect that the (CLC) will be able
to resolve all our issues. We look forward to
negotiations with the management, on all pending
issues, in the presence of the CLC," Kapahi
said.
After putting forth an original list of 14 demands,
the aviators are now asking for the reinstatement
of their 101 sacked colleagues and recognition
of their union IPG.
Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh Tuesday responded
positively to the development in court.
"The high court direction on the strike
has endorsed the views of the government that
the pilots should call off the strike unconditionally
and report back to duty. The government is committed
to the welfare of the employees of Air India,
including pilots," said the minister.
According to an Air India official, before joining
regular duties, the aviators would first have
to get their fitness checked by a team of doctors
and undergo refresher training and a mandatory
route flying check.
"There are four levels that the pilots need
to cross, including fitness test, ground training
refresher, simulator trials and finally a route
check exam. Even if pilots join back today, these
procedures will take nearly 15-20 days to complete,"
an Air India official told IANS.
In the route flying check, the pilots who have
not flown an aircraft over a period of 30 days
will operate a flight with a check (instructor)
pilot, who will oversee their performance. After
the process, the pilots resuming duty will be
assigned a flying schedule.
The strike had started May 8 when pilots of the
IPG went on a mass sick leave, protesting the
move to provide Boeing 787 Dreamliner training
to their colleagues and pilots from the erstwhile
Indian Airlines.
The grounded fleet of Boeing 777s, unused manpower
and absence from key routes hit the airlines'
chances of a financial turnaround.
The strike also crippled Air India's international
operations and caused an estimate revenue loss
of Rs.620 crore.
(IANS)
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