Aviation Ministry convenes meeting of recognised Air India unions

New Delhi, May 17 (PTI) With no end in sight to the pilots' strike that entered 10th day today, India's Civil Aviation Ministry has convened a meeting of all the recognised trade unions of the state-owned national carrier Air India next week to discuss issues relating to career progression and pay-scales. "I am calling a meeting of all the recognised trade unions of Air India next week to discuss the career progression issues, including promotions also," Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told reporters here. The move is aimed at checking further labour trouble and garnering support for the process of implementing the post-merger integration of Air India employees, as resentment is expected over salaries and career progression issues. The Dharmadhikari Committee, which has recommended several measures on HR integration issues in post-merger Air India, is likely to be taken up for discussion at the meeting. However, the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), which has been de-recognised by the airline for leading the pilots' stir over similar issues, is not likely to be part of the discussion as only "recognised" unions are being invited. With the Civil Aviation Minister offering to hold talks unconditionally and promising that the airline would not be vindictive, the IPG has also stated they were open to talks to resolve the deadlock, but wanted the sacking of 71 of their colleagues and its derecognition to be revoked. India's two state-owned national carriers - Indian Airlines run as primarily a domestic carrier and Air India on international routes - were merged into a consolidated entity in 2007 under the banner of Air India. The now striking pilots under IPG were earlier with Air India. Later talking to reporters outside Parliament, Singh said the meeting of all recognised unions has been called to hear them out and hold discussions with them. He said some of the issues which will be discussed are Air India's turnaround plan, government's proposed Rupees 300.0 billion bailout plan and many employees not getting promotions. PTI