By IANS,
New Delhi : Pilots of various airlines are looking at forming a single union to collectively air their grievances.
“I don’t know why there is so much fuss over our salaries,” said Girish Kaushik, a senior pilot with Jet Airways.
“We are looking at forming a single union and are in touch with pilots of other airlines,” Kaushik, who was one of the negotiators on behalf of Jet Airways pilots during the five-day stand-off at the carrier earlier this month, told IANS.
Jet pilots had gone on mass sick leave Sep 8 after two of their colleagues were sacked for their involvement in forming a pilots union. The five-day strike, which ended Sep 13 midnight, is estimated to have entailed a $40-million (Rs.200-crore) loss for the carrier.
When contacted, a senior Air India pilot confirmed they were in talks with their counterparts at other airlines.
“We are desperately looking at forming a single union of pilots. It will represent pilots from all airlines in India,” said a senior Air India executive pilot on condition of anonymity, as the ongoing impasse at the national carrier was yet to be resolved.
Air India pilots went on mass leave Saturday in protest against cut in their productivity linked incentives (PLI).
The strike forced the carrier to cancel 50 flights Tuesday, including nine international flights.