Air India employees threaten indefinite strike from November 2 after asked to vacate quarters
Synopsis
According to reports, a section of ground staffers and engineers of Air India have threatened to go on strike from November 2 over the government's decision to vacate their apartments within six months of the divestment deal’s transaction closing date.
Days after Ratan Tata-owned Tata Sons took control of debt-laden Air India, unions have threatened to go on an indefinite strike from November 2 over a government decision which requires them to vacate office quarters in six months after the sale of the airline.
According to standard procedure, any union has to give two weeks’ notice before going on a strike. Therefore, the Joint Action Committee has served the strike notice claiming to go on an indefinite strike, starting from November 2.
A Times of India report states that Air India staffers received a letter from the airline on October 5, asking them to give a signed compliance letter by October 20 which states that they would vacate their company-provided homes within six months of the privatization of the airline.
According to the report, the letter sent by the union states, “It is learnt that the land on which the colonies are situated are leased in perpetuity by Airports Authority of India (AAI) to AI. AAI is the owner and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) is only a tenant. There is no reason for AI to vacate the colonies in a tearing hurry and hand over the land to the Adani Group (which is now the promoter of MIAL)." The letter also pointed out that there are several slums on the airport land which have not been given any notice to vacate.
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The agitating unions include Air Corporation Employees Union, Aviation Industry Employees Guild and All India Service Engineers Association, Business Standard reported.
These unions have also stressed on the fact that there are several slums on the airport land which have not been given any such notice.
On October 8, Tata Sons, a unit of Tata group won the bid to acquire debt-laden state-run national carrier Air India for Rs 18,000 crores.
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