Chief Labour Commissioner declares IA strike illegal and liable for prosecution

The Chief Labour Commissioner today declared the strike by the Indian Airlines employees union ACEU, illegal and liable for prosecution under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947.

This strike had been called for by the Air Corporation Employees Union (ACEU) which represents ground operations and clerical staff. The strike appears to be an attempt to create confusion by a few Union leaders for unknown reasons as all reasonable demands have been agreed to.

The ACEU had threatened to go on strike with effect from 18th May 2007 regarding payment of wage arrears for the past 10 years. The management and the Union, in consultation with the Government, arrived at a reasonable settlement to the tune of Rs.267 crores and wage levels at par with their counterparts in Air India. Though the Company had financial problems in dealing with such a large amount of arrears, when PLI for the last 10 years in lieu of wage arrears had been regularly paid, the management and the Government, in the larger interest of harmonious industrial relations, had agreed to the same. On the late evening of 12th June, in the proceeding before the Chief Labour Commissioner, Union raised further unreasonable demands and suddenly went on a flash strike which is totally illegal and unwarranted.

Indian Airlines has appealed to its employees, including the members of the ACEU, to refrain from such illegal industrial action considering that it is a peak summer holiday season and would cause distress to a large number of passengers, apart from being detrimental to the financial condition and image of the Company. In view of the strike, Indian Airlines has also decided to take stringent action against striking employees.

Indian Airlines has also through a public message, requested all its passengers to bear with the inconvenience. While all efforts are being made to maintain the schedule to the extent possible, they have been requested to travel as light as possible and reconfirm their flights by calling a toll free No.1400/1401.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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