By IANS
New Delhi : The CPI-M affiliated Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Wednesday asked Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to meet the "genuine" demands of staffers of the state-run Indian airlines who are on an indefinite strike.
Announcing its solidarity for the striking ground staff and cabin crew of Indian, the Communist Party of India-Marxist affiliated trade union said: "CITU denounces the stand of Indian Airlines management which is likely to cause a lot of inconvenience and problem to the air travellers."
About 12,000 ground staff of the carrier, including security personnel and baggage handlers, have been on strike since Tuesday night, demanding pay hike and payment of arrears. They were joined by the cabin crew Wednesday, leading to a complete breakdown in services.
Pointing out that the wages have not been revised since 1997, the statement said: "Indian Airlines management after protracted negotiations with Air Corporation Employees Union had agreed to a package from which they backed out at the last moment forcing the employees to go for agitation."
It asked Patel to intervene so "genuine demands of the Indian Airlines employees" were met and the crisis was averted.
The minister has termed the ongoing strike "illegal" and warned the workers of "consequences" if they did not call it off by the evening.