Ajit Singh says few options left but to sack AI pilots on strike

While there has been no official confirmation to national carrier Air India sacking over 300 pilots of the pilots union Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh said that there are few other options left for the airline.

“They went on a strike without talking to anybody. All we are saying is you back to work in good faith, we will talk to you in good faith,” Singh told CNN IBN.

As there has been no official communication between the striking pilots and the management since the strike, questions have been raised over the lack of trust and confidence between the two parties.

“Its not about the lack trust. The striking pilots don’t want to work with erstwhile Indian Airline pilots. That’s their main grouse,” Singh said. The Air India management had said it would not recognise the IPG after the pilots went on strike.

Despite complaints against the ‘special’ treatment given to Indian Airlines pilots, the IPG pilots never mention that the get paid better than Indian Airlines pilot.

When asked should the IPG pilots be prepared to lose their job, Singh said, “How long can the Air India management wait? How can they people on their rolls if they are not willing to come back to work.”