Conciliation proceedings start to end Jet pilots' agitation

New Delhi, Sep 11 (PTI) Conciliation proceedings between
agitating Jet Airways pilots and the management began Friday
before the Chief Labour Commissioner here in a bid to end the
four-day old stir which has severely disrupted the operations
of the Airlines leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
The meeting came against the backdrop of a reported
agreement arrived between the two sides through the mediation
of Congress Member of Parliament Sanjay Nirupam and some
others.
Besides Chief Labour Commissioner S K Upadhyay, the
conciliation proceedings are being attended by Jet executive
director Saroj Dutta, CEO Hafiz Ali and head of operation
Capt Mohan.
The pilots' body National Aviators Guild (NAG) is being
represented by its president Capt Girish Kaushik and Capt Sam
Thomas.
Jet Airways and its pilots had Thursday night hammered out
a broad understanding to break the deadlock raising prospects
of a quick return to normalcy.
As per the understanding, all the four sacked pilots are
to be reinstated and the chargesheets issued against some of
the agitators will be withdrawn while the Registrar of the
Trade Unions will look into the fulfilment of criteria of
registration of the NAG.
On their part, the pilots will join their duties soon
after the formal agreement is arrived at before the Chief
Labour Commissioner.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had Thursday enquired
about the crisis at the Cabinet meeting where Civil Aviation
Minister Praful Patel gave an update.
Late Thursday night, Jet chairman Naresh Goyal met Nirupam
following which the broad understanding was arrived at.
The outlines of this understanding were later approved
with some changes by agitating pilots in India's commerical
capital Mumbai. PTI SGI