New Delhi:
It's been nine days since national carrier Air India's pilots are on strike. The strike has cost taxpayers Rs 146.5 crore so far and the airline is now reduced to operating just 10 per cent of its domestic flights.
Now, in fresh trouble for the crippled Air India management, the All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) today demanded immediate implementation of the merger agreements, including better pay and fixed flying hours, besides a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into alleged corruption in the airline.
Here's a press release issued by the AICCA: The All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) which represents cabin crew in both carriers is deeply concerned with the ongoing deadlock in the Airline and calls on Government to exercise restraint and find resolution, as the long term effects of this impasse will be detrimental to Air India.
The AICCA supports the demand for Parity of emoluments in both carriers for Flying Categories, as Cabin Crew in the erstwhile Indian Airlines are being discriminated against, and we demand enhancement of Cabin Crew emoluments as well, along with 80 hours guaranteed flying hours allowance for all flying crew (cockpit & cabin crew of both carriers).
The suspension of Bilateral agreements of IAC Crew 3 days ago, is both Illegal and unwarranted, and we shall not stand by silently - but shall take Legal recourse and all steps necessary to remedy the situation. The imposition of CAR on IAC crew is Illegal, and the AICCA has through its letters of 29/4/11 & 3/5/11 warned the management on these issues.
Large scale frustration has built up over the last few months over denial of pre-merger time bound promotions, withholding of Grade 4/5 & Grade 10 promotions & non-implementation of the MOS of 2008; the failure to address the basic issues of cabin crew; poor working conditions due short crew complement on both carriers, attempt to bring in Contract crew and also the constant delay/denial of Flying Allowances and Salaries.
The issues of the Illegal Merger of Air India & Indian, the rampant corruption at all levels, and other scandals such as the questionable Aircraft deals, the transfer of Bilaterals and the Land scams (MIAL, DIAL & Kalina) are all issues that have been raised extensively by the All India cabin Crew Association before various authorities since 2006/07 and also currently pending before the Delhi High Court in our writ petition, which is in final hearing.
We continue to demand that the same be looked at by a JPC and employees should not be penalized for the actions of government and its officers.