MUMBAI: Privatized airline Air India is likely to handle its first labor-related conflict next week as aircraft maintenance technicians serving the airline’s fleet threatened a nationwide “tools-down movement” from February 7.
About 1,700 technicians on fixed-term contracts Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), a state-owned company that handles engineering jobs for private carrier Air India, has threatened to take part in the agitation. Jobs of these technicians include refueling aircraft, preparing aircraft for departure, marshalling, maintenance work, etc. “International and domestic flights of Air India will be affected as we make up around 60%. AIESL workforce,” said a technician requesting anonymity.
Their demands include wage revision, employment contract renewal, inclusion of dearness allowance, etc. “We want salary on the basis of “Same work, Equal pay”. Our salary should be at par with Air India service engineers as our job profile, qualifications etc. are same.” But our salary is Rs 25,000. For the month of January “Many of us got a salary of Rs 21,444. The deduction was for medical facility and Rs 1,100 which AIESL is deducting from May 2020 as part of economic measures,” he said.
Air India’s statement is awaited.
In January, technicians wrote to AIESL management with a list of demands, threatening a “tools-down movement” from January 17. Due to the commencement of conciliation proceedings between the technicians and the AIESL management under the Assistant Labor Commissioner, the agitation was postponed. “But the talks have failed,” said the technician.
About 1,700 technicians on fixed-term contracts Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), a state-owned company that handles engineering jobs for private carrier Air India, has threatened to take part in the agitation. Jobs of these technicians include refueling aircraft, preparing aircraft for departure, marshalling, maintenance work, etc. “International and domestic flights of Air India will be affected as we make up around 60%. AIESL workforce,” said a technician requesting anonymity.
Their demands include wage revision, employment contract renewal, inclusion of dearness allowance, etc. “We want salary on the basis of “Same work, Equal pay”. Our salary should be at par with Air India service engineers as our job profile, qualifications etc. are same.” But our salary is Rs 25,000. For the month of January “Many of us got a salary of Rs 21,444. The deduction was for medical facility and Rs 1,100 which AIESL is deducting from May 2020 as part of economic measures,” he said.
Air India’s statement is awaited.
In January, technicians wrote to AIESL management with a list of demands, threatening a “tools-down movement” from January 17. Due to the commencement of conciliation proceedings between the technicians and the AIESL management under the Assistant Labor Commissioner, the agitation was postponed. “But the talks have failed,” said the technician.
,