IPG claims it kept ministry in the loop prior to strike

Claiming that their agitation was not spontaneous, the derecognised Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) said, "We would like to clarify that all efforts were made by the IPG to contact and apprise the Minister and the Ministry officials of the volatile situation at the airline."

The statement came a day after five IPG pilots called on Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, who warned them that the airline may hire new pilots if they refuse to call off their agitation that started 20 days ago.

Singh, who met the pilots for the first time since the strike began, also bluntly told them that the mounting losses due to the agitation may make it difficult for the airline to pay the wage arrears to all employees by June as promised.

The IPG had last night said that their meeting with the Minister "did not culminate in any mutually acceptable solution", clearly indicating that their strike will continue.

Air India Board is slated to meet on Monday to review the situation arising out of the strike, apart from financial matters.

In a statement today, the IPG said, "After the meeting with the Minister yesterday, IPG members were of the impression that he was upset for not having been approached by the IPG before going on with the agitation."

"We would further like to clarify that on the evening of May 7, (Civil Aviation Ministry) joint secertary Prashant Shukul, along with senior Air India officials, were apprised of the failure of talks between the management and the IPG," the Guild said, adding these developments forced them to go ahead with the agitation. (more)