Conciliation proceedings start to end Jet pilots' agitation

Conciliation proceedings between agitating Jet Airways pilots and the management began today before the Chief Labour Commissioner here in a bid to end the four-day old stir which has severely disrupted the operations of the Airlines leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

The meeting came against the backdrop of a reported agreement arrived between the two sides through the mediation of Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam and some others.

Besides Chief Labour Commissioner S K Upadhyay, the conciliation proceedings are being attended by Jet executive director Saroj Dutta, CEO Hafiz Ali and head of operation Capt Mohan.

The pilots' body National Aviators Guild (NAG) is being represented by its president Capt Girish Kaushik and Capt Sam Thomas.

Jet Airways and its pilots had last night hammered out a broad understanding to break the deadlock raising prospects of a quick return to normalcy.

As per the understanding, all the four sacked pilots are to be reinstated and the chargesheets issued against some of the agitators will be withdrawn while the Registrar of the Trade Unions will look into the fulfilment of criteria of registration of the NAG.

On their part, the pilots will join their duties soon after the formal agreement is arrived at before the Chief Labour Commissioner.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had yesterday enquired about the crisis at the Cabinet meeting where Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel gave an update.

Late last night, Jet chairman Naresh Goyal met Nirupam following which the broad understanding was arrived at.

The outlines of this understanding were later approved with some changes by agitating pilots in Mumbai.