AI unions flay management over salary issue

Terming as 'rude shock' the decision by NACIL, the entity formed by the merger of Air India and Indian, to delay payment of June salary to its employees by 15 days, trade unions on Monday sought a clarification from the management over the issue.

"Where has the break down taken place. We owe a clarification from those who have taken this decision," the joint action committee of trade unions said in a signed representation to NACIL chairman and managing director Arvind Jadahav.

On Saturday, the National Aviation Company of India Limited issued a circular stating that it has taken a decision to defer the payment of June salary and PLI by 15 days due to liquidity crunch.

'It was a rude shock to employees to learn about the unilateral decision,' the representation said, charging that government's unwise decision to open the market to foreign and private carriers and over-capacity, which led to price war, was responsible for such a situation.

'We as employees have a right to seek explanation from you as head of management team at a time when our salaries have been deferred,' the representation said.

The committee comprises Air India Aircraft Engineers' Association, All India Aircraft Engineers' Association, Indian Pilots' Guild, Indian Commercial Pilots' Association, Indian Airlines officers' Association and Airline Radio Officers and Flight Operations Officers' Association.