NEW DELHI (PTI): Striking pilots of the Indian airlines Oct.30 agreed to call off their agitation following a settlement with the management on the safety issue but decided to keep the strike notice in abeyance following differences on the monetary aspects of their demands.
Near normalcy is expected to be restored in the services of the Indian airlines by Sunday
The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) which was spearheading the already on “work to rule” agitation did not withdraw the strike notice preferring to keep it in abeyance along with two other directives to November 16.
The settlement was arrived at in the presence of the chief labor commissioner here after marathon conciliation proceedings were initiated recently.
It provided for arbitration by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the thorny problem regarding safety measures at eight airports.
Announcing the settlement the chairman and managing director of Indian airlines L Vasudev told newsmen that the DGCA has been requested to give within three months his award which would be abided by both the parties.
Admitting that the issue with the pilots has not been “finally settled” Vasudev hoped that the pilots would not press for their strike notice and withdraw their two directives in support of other demands.
Vasudey said the airlines had called off its contingency plans and hopes to considerably scale down the existing cut in its operations.
Normal operating schedule would not be restored for another three months till the award of the arbitration is known he said.
Replying to questions Vasudev said the ICPA had not given any written assurance to the management that it would not go on strike.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 13, 1992
