With the pilots of Jet Airways and state-run Air India striking work within a matter of a fortnight, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office made it clear that the pilots, who earn a hefty salary and get princely packages as incentives, cannot be allowed to hold the industry to ransom and cause discomfort to passengers.
But what made the Air India management soften its position was a stern warning from the government, which owns the carrier, asking it not to make a policy statement that exceeded the given brief.
A section of the media reported that the Air India management, already burdened with a loss of $2 billion, had threatened a lock-out should the pilots continue their strike. This was denied. But the government said a decision on a lock-out was not the management’s mandate and directed it to ensure a quick resolution.
rounak