AI CMD holds another round of talks with the employees' unions

New Delhi: Employees of the cash-strapped Air India on Sunday came up with several suggestions to cut costs during their second round of discussions, as the airline management appealed for tightening of belts to face the acute financial crunch.
The suggestions came as leaders of three major unions, representing almost 70 per cent of the staffers, held a day-long meeting with Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav here.
While the unions stuck to their earlier decision to launch an agitation following delay in June salary payment, their leaders said they would continue to hold talks with the management and later review their action plan.
Jadhav sought their help and participation in reviving the airline which is facing acute financial crisis and reeling under a loss of about Rs 5,000 crore.
At the meeting, leaders of Air Corporation Employees' Union (ACEU), Aviation Industry Employees' Guild (AIEG) and Indian Aviation Technicians Association (IATA) suggested that many staffers were ready for transfer to low cost subsidiary Air India Express with lower salaries while others were ready to accept leave without pay for two years.
The AI management has already asked its top management not to take their July salaries and deferred the June salaries of all employees by a fortnight.
The unions claimed that out of a total salary expenditure of Rs 350 crore by the airlines, only a minuscule 20 per cent were being spent on their salaries, while 80 per cent were being spent on the remaining 30 per cent AI employees.
Air India's losses for the last financial year are estimated at over Rs 4,000 crore, up from Rs 2,226 crore in the previous fiscal.
21/06/09 PTI/Economic Times

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: NACIL Jun 2009