Sena shuffles aviation unions

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has revamped its unions in the aviation sector in an attempt to contain the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. But this has affected the fortunes of Kiran Pawaskar, who is said to have helped the Sena make deep inroads into the aviation sector, especially the officers' grade.
The MNS grabbed headlines recently when a large number of sacked Jet Airways employees - who were later taken back - sought Raj's intervention and called on him at his Shivaji Park residence.
Jet chief Naresh Goyal reinstated the employees even before the MNS could flex its muscles. But this episode, said Sena observers, made party strategists take a closer look at its aviation agenda.
"Although there is no immediate threat from the MNS, we can't let the grass grow under our feet. Raj Thackeray's party has an eye on publicity, which may eventually help them make a dent in the aviation sector,'' said a senior Sena leader.
Sena MP Bharatkumar Raut has been appointed in-charge of the Air India Cabin Crew Association, Air India Engineers' Association and the Employees' Union. Sena secretary Vinayak Raut will captain a slew of units - 30 in all - in premier aviation companies. The division of labour between the two Rauts was worked out by Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray.
"The Sena is set for a major expansion in the aviation sector and the division has been worked out to streamline the functioning of our unions,'' said Vinayak Raut, denying that the MNS was a threat to the Sena in the aviation sector.
Pawaskar, a close aide of Uddhav who won a seat in the state legislative council earlier this year, has been eased out of the aviation unions in the shuffle.
24/11/08 Ambarish Mishra/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Nov 2008