New Delhi, September 08: At least 10 flights of Jet Airways and its subsidiary out of Delhi were cancelled Tuesday as a large number of pilots did not report to work in protest against sacking of two of their colleagues, a move described as “sabotage of operation” by the airlines.
While National Aviators Guild (NAG) has decided not to go on the proposed strike, its members decided alternate course of protest action like going on mass casual leave which hampered the operations of the private carrier.
Airport sources said at least 10 early morning flights of Jet Airways and JetLite were cancelled as the pilots did not report for duties.
A large number of passengers who had to take the flights operated by the private carrier were accommodated in the flights of Air India and other carriers, they said.
In a press statement Jet Airways said a section of pilots have resorted to a simulated strike by reporting sick.
“This organised activity is a planned sabotage of operations that will damage the airline’s operations and inconvenience the travelling public,” the statement said.
National Aviators Guild (NAG), the pilots union of Jet Airways, yesterday, had called off its proposed strike against the management’s sacking of two senior pilots.
“Jet Airways is taking all steps to minimise the inconvenience to its guests. The airline will make all efforts to operate the maximum number of flights,” the statement said.
However, we will try to accommodate our guests on alternate flights as some flights may have to be combined or cancelled, it added.
Jet Airways had last month terminated the services of two of its senior most pilots, saying, “Their services were not required” after the duo along with others formed a trade union body in the company.
The union, which gave a strike call from midnight yesterday, had termed the sackings “an act of vendetta” and demanded the reinstatement of the pilots.
Subsequent to its serving a strike notice on the management, the issue was referred to the Regional Labour Commissioner.
A conciliatory meeting was called on August 31 between both the Jet Airways management and the union which claims a representation of over 650 of the over 1,000 pilots in Jet Airways.
Referring to the directions of the Regional Labour Commissioner, the statement said “Jet Airways has been in a conciliation process with the pilots. The Regional Labour Commissioner had categorically stated that any strike by the pilots during this pendency of conciliation, would be deemed an illegal act.”
–Agencies