AI management to meet union leaders

In an apparent bid to stem support for the June 12 strike call given by two major unions, Air India management on Thursday called top leaders of other unions for a meeting on Tuesday.

The merged airline has a total of 14 unions representing various sections of workers of the two erstwhile carriers.

The management, which had earlier decided to defer payment of May salaries by a week, also announced that wage disbursements would take place on June one itself.

"Management intends to communicate through the office bearers of the unions, the actual reasons leading to the present situation," an Air India spokesperson said, adding that the meeting will be held in the Mumbai headquarters on June 1.

Air India, which withdrew recognition to All India Aircraft Engineers Association (AIAEA) and the Air Corporations Employees Union (ACEU) that led the two-day strike, said it had done so as they had not only caused harassment to passengers and losses to the company but also indulged in "regular violations" of discipline.

Air India charged the AIAEA and ACEU with indulging in "regular violations of Code of Discipline and of the Settlements and acting in a manner resulting in the disruption of the normal working of the company and breach of industrial peace and harmony."

"One of the most objectionable actions of AIAEA was that in breach of office order dated 27.7.2009 it approached media criticising the systems and procedures of the company," an Air India statement said.

The airline claimed that "there are no statutory provisions for recognition of trade unions. The Trade Union Act 1926 does not provide for recognition of a trade union in respect of industry or establishment. The Industrial Dispute Act also does not provide for recognition of trade unions".

Recognition of a union, with a membership of at least 15 per cent workers of an establishment, was only "recommendatory and has no statutory force", it claimed.

The management said the erstwhile Indian Airlines had recognised ACEU in May 1959 recognising that the company was "a Public Utility Service operating round the clock everyday and has a duty of serving the travelling public."

Regarding termination of services of 58 employees and suspension of 24 others, the airline merely said this was done under sections of the Service Regulations and Contract of Employment.