Air India pilots vote in favour of strike over 'workman' status

Pilots yet to issue strike notice; had served legal notice to airline

Air India pilots have voted in favour of a strike to protest the management's notification stripping commanders of "workman" status.

However, the pilots are yet to issue a strike notice.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association, which represents pilots flying on domestic routes, held a secret ballot earlier this month seeking member opinion on strike.

The union had also served a legal notice to the airline demanding withdrawal of the notification. 

Last month, Air India issued a notification based on union labour ministry opinion, removing commanders from workman category. This means commanders can not be members of a trade union and will not enjoy protection under labour laws.