The government on Thursday seemed to inch closer to end the stalemate between the striking Air India pilots and the management even as the former continued their agitation for reinstatement of sacked pilots and pay parity with their colleagues.
The pilots belonging to erstwhile Indian Airlines stuck on their demands in the second round of negotiations with civil aviation ministry officials. Government sources said that the ministry had agreed to take back sacked pilots but the union leaders insisted on a promise in writing.
The 800-member Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) has been on strike since last week causing the airline a daily operating loss of about R26 crore. Air India?s domestic operation remained crippled on the ninth day of strike with the airline managing to operate only 10% of 320 flights a day operated by the carrier.
?The aviation ministry has agreed to take back sacked staff. But there are some other issues where the deadlock continues. The strike should be called off shortly,? a government source said.
The pilots have been demanding reversal of the derecognition of their union and withdrawal of sack orders as pre-condition for calling off the stir. The ICPA also demanded pay parity with ?Air India? pilots.
The management has, however refused to meet any of their demands which have financial implications.