Kingfisher pilots to sue airline for salary cuts

Mumbai: In a move that could have far-reaching ramifications for industrial relations across sectors, Kingfisher Airlines pilots, numbering over 600, have decided to sue the loss-making carrier for cutting their salaries. The pilots are alleging breach of contract by the airline on assured flying hours, which have been slashed from the contractual 70 hours a month to 55.
“Hence, there have been huge pay cuts to the extent of 25-30%. We have decided to approach the Bombay High Court since our salary structure is altered vis-à-vis our contract documents,” a senior pilot with the airline told FE. Kingfisher recently reported a Q3 net loss of Rs 626 crore. It has also reduced 21% of its domestic flights following a downturn in air travel.
Kingfisher pilots earn upwards of Rs 3 lakh a month, excluding perks, with the senior-most making over Rs 5 lakh. The airline has a fleet of more than 75 aircraft, with 570 flights daily connecting 74 cities. The salary cuts come at a time when the airline has scaled up its international operations.
The pilots had recently met senior company officials to register their protest against the salary cuts. A senior pilot flying wide-bodied aircraft said, “When we met the HR head, we were told there had been a pay revision as fallout of less flying hours.” The pilots do not plan to strike work to press for their demands at this time.
05/02/09 Shaheen Mansuri/Financial Express

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Categories: kingfisher Feb 2009