The Chief Labour Commissioner has summoned a meeting with the Air India Express union and CEO today. This move aims to address the grievances of the employees and ensure harmonious industrial relations. The meeting holds significance in resolving the ongoing crisis and restoring stability to the airline operations.
Following the termination of approximately 30 crew members last night, Air India Express faces a mounting crisis. The abrupt terminations came after nearly 300 employees called in sick and disrupted operations by switching off their phones.
The airline, a subsidiary of Air India and now owned by the Tata group, has been grappling with protests from its workforce over new employment terms. Employees allege unequal treatment and modifications to compensation packages.
Amidst the turmoil, 85 flights were canceled, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers. The disruptions add to the challenges faced by the Tata group, coming barely a month after similar disruptions at its full-service carrier, Vistara.
In response to the crisis, Air India Express issued a statement expressing efforts to minimize inconvenience to guests. The airline assured operational efforts and offered options for affected passengers to reschedule or receive refunds.
However, tensions persist between management and crew members. The termination letters cited “pre-meditated” abstention from work, causing severe disruptions and reputational damage to the company.
The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) has accused the airline of mismanagement and unequal treatment of staff. Meanwhile, the regional labour commissioner has criticized the airline for violations of labour laws.
The summoning of the meeting by the Chief Labour Commissioner signals a crucial step towards resolving the crisis. It underscores the importance of dialogue and cooperation between management and employees to address grievances and restore normalcy to airline operations.
The meeting aims to provide a platform for both parties to discuss concerns and find mutually acceptable solutions. It represents an opportunity for constructive dialogue and collective action to mitigate the impact of the crisis and safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved.