Air India Express crew calls for indefinite strike over contract issue
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New Delhi: The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) has called for an indefinite strike from January 15 onwards if their demands regarding the conditions of contracts issued is not met. The decision was taken after an emergency meeting between union representatives and management held in Kochi, Kerala on Monday.
70% of the union consists of cabin crew and with 500 expected to join the strike, flight operations could face heavy disruptions.
The union has demanded resolution of pending issues as well as addressing the concerns of the crew relating to contracts issued by Air India Express management. The bulk of the issue centers around what the union terms "unjust" allocation of longer contracts to newer members and other staff while cutting privileges and contracts of existing cabin crew.
"The actions of the management in reducing the contract period of the cabin crew members of the Company from five years to one year, whilst at the same time according five-year contracts to other departmental staff and new recruits is unjust," said Vijaykumar KK, president of AIXEU (BMS) in a strike notice to the CEO.
"During such trying times when the cabin crew members are already facing salary cuts and shortage of flying hours, this arbitrary action of the management to reduce the term of the employment contract is inimical and pernicious to the cabin crew members of the Company who have given everything in service of the nation," the strike notice reads.
Cabin crew will also face financial difficulties compounding their existing salary cut if they are deprived of flying hours until the new Airport Entry Pass is received, the union pointed out.
Their other demands include complying with the order of the Court of State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities, ensuring that steps are taken to address the concerns of the female staff in the company. as well as making sure that there are no inordinate delays in processing career progression, or in the matter of contract renewals.