Press Release
29th May 2010
Shri Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister
Government of India
South Block
New Delhi – 110 011
Dear Prime Minister,
I would like to draw attention to the present situation in Air India due to high handed policy adopted by the Chairman of the undertaking. If the present situation is allowed to continue the very existence of a premier Public Sector Undertaking will be at stake.
It is a matter of great concern to the trade union movement in India that the Reports of the Standing Committee of Parliament on Transport and Tourism as well as Committee on Public Sector Undertakings have indicted both Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India management for the present mailace in Air India.
However both of them have failed to take any action in the matter. I would earnestly request you to find out why no action is being taken on both these reports by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India management.
If a high power enquiry is conducted you will find that both the Minister of Civil Aviation and Chairman Air India are doing everything to promote private sector companies in Civil Aviation and damaging the interest of Air India. The present Chairman of Air India is openly promoting communal elements in Air India and suppressing well established and recognized unions in the undertaking.
The present Chairman has destroyed bipartite relations in the public sector undertaking and behaving in an autocratic manner even with the senior executives of the company. I have received several complains personally from executives of Air India. There is urgent need to enquire the links developed by CMD of Air India with some private concerns at the cost of public sector undertaking.
I would like to draw your attention that both Indian Airlines and Air India were breaking even when they were merged. How it has incurred heavy losses after merger? The reports of Standing Committee and COPU have thrown some light on the question but it is being nonchalantly ignored by the Minister of Civil Aviation and CMD of Air India. The present Chairman has derecognized the major unions and sealed their offices while large number of employees have been summarily dismissed or suspended.
Please note that trade union movement in India will not be a silent spectator if the suppression of trade union rights are such a blatant manner is allowed in India. The policies pursued by Minister of Civil aviation as well as Chairman Air India are clearly directed to give advantage to the private sector companies and close down the premier public undertaking in India.
You will appreciate that since 1st January 2007 no improvement in living conditions of the employees has taken place while management unilaterally withdrew several existing benefits without even discussing with the trade unions. The employees were not paid even bonus last year yet the employees were peaceful and co-operated with the management to improve the performance of the undertaking.
However, the objective attitude shown by the employees is considered by the CMD as their weakness and he has been trampling underfoot legitimate struggles of the employees. I am informed that the employees of Air India will resort to one day strike on 12th June 2010 to protest against the highhanded policy of the CMD. Due to large scale victimization the employees are agitated and desire that all victimization measures should be withdrawn and recognition of the union should be restored.
If the strike materializes the passengers will be greatly inconvenienced but for that the management of Air India will be solely responsible. I hope you will view these developments with concern and intervene in the dispute so that normalcy is restored and Air India can march ahead despite unhealthy competition indulged in by the private civil aviation companies.
With personal regards,
Yours sincerely,
(M K PANDHE)
Vice President
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