AI pilots warn of ‘unprecedented magnitude’ situation as salary dues mount & massive pay cuts proposed

NEW DELHI: With salary dues mounting, “corona warrior” Air India pilots have warned the management that “any unilateral change by Air India from agreed upon wage settlement would be illegal and will not be in the interest of our national carrier at this crucial juncture. Such a situation has the potential to flair to an unprecedented magnitude.”
The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) on Monday wrote to airline chairman and managing director (CMD) Rajiv Bansal that while it supports “temporary austerity measures at all fronts” due to coronavirus, the restructuring should be equitable. The pilots are opposing their “proposed cut of almost 60% of gross emoluments” while “the top management has proposed a meagre 3.5% cut on its own gross salary.” So far 55 AI pilots have tested corona positive.
Flying allowance and flying-related allowances, that constitute 70% of crew wages, have not been paid since April 2020. In the past few months, all wages were being paid with constant delays in AI. June’s basic pay is expected this week.