15 sacked AI staff may get return ticket after apology

Sacked staff say the were misled, have agreed to all guidelines put forth by the company

Air India may reinstate 15 of the 17 cabin crew it had dismissed in three weeks for coming late, thereby causing flight delays.

"We have got an unconditional apology from 15 of the 17 dismissed. They have said they had been misled by the union and have agreed to follow all guidelines. We are considering taking them back," said an official.

Of the 17, 13 are permanent staff members.

The All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA), however, denied any apology letter sent. It said it was still waiting for a hearing by the Central Government Industrial Tribunal in Mumbai.

Air India had said indiscipline would not be tolerated and was prepared to face any legal issues for firing permanent employees. It added improving its performance parameters was the priority.

The airline had issued a notice on February 20 warning cabin crew if they didn't reach airports on time, action would be taken.

The official said, "We have been making efforts to implement the flight duty time limitations (FDTL) notified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), but have been facing resistance from certain sections refusing to work longer hours. Unions are citing bilateral agreements with the management to block implementation."

According to the norms, pilots and cabin crew should work 35 hours a week or 125 hours a month, subject to a cap of 1,000 hours a year. However, the average working hours of cabin crew of the erstwhile Air India's AICCA are 57 a month, while those of erstwhile Indian Airlines' Air Corporation Employees Union (ACEU) are 68 a month.

According to the cabin crew of AICCA, they would not work beyond 80 hours a month. Besides, they are demanding a rest period of 72 after a long-haul flight against 48 by the norms.

"We want the management to recognise the agreement they have with us," said an AICCA member. Also, the airline's cabin crew has been refusing to follow the auto roster, demanding restoration of bidding for routes. "The auto roster allocates routes 15 days before a flight. But some are swapping," another official said.

On February 13, four air hostesses did not turn up for a flight from Delhi to Australia. While one came two hours after departure, another said she would fly to a nearby place such as Dubai. The latter was suspended.

The airline had de-rostered 42 cabin crew in Mumbai during September-October last year and 47 in Delhi during January-February this year on indiscipline, but was forced to take back reportedly after political intervention. Charge sheets were issued against some.

An official said there was no political pressure this time.