Two Air India pilots union wrote a letter to Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran on April 4, in support for Vistara Pilots, urging the leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with pilots
and take proactive measures to address their grievances.
In a joint letter, Indian Commerical Pilots' Association and Indian Pilots' Guild said that issues pertaining to reduction in minimum guaranteed flying allowance to 40 hours, leave approval and roster malpractices extend to all Tata Group airlines, i.e Air India, Air India Express, which also includes AirAsia India.
"Concerns expressed by Vistara pilots extend across various Tata Group airlines. Pilots are being exploited, overworked and deprived of their basic rights," said the pilot unions.
The unions also have complained about an unsupportive work environment. A more worrying allegation that is being cited in the letter is that some pilots who have felt threatened and intimidated may be reluctant to report safety concerns.
"Threatening pilots with disruptions to their future is not only unethical but also creates a hostile and intimidating work environment. It is deeply concerning that HR, which should serve as a support system for employees, is resorting to such coercive tactics," the unions said in the letter.
Over the last week, Vistara saw cancellations escalating due to pilots taking sick leave en masse to protest the terms of their new contracts following the airline's merger with Air India. However, Vistara’s management has maintained that flight cancellations and delays were due to crew unavailability.
The Tata Group-backed airline may consider a reduction in its network as it has been running on full capacity, leaving no margin for error, the senior leadership of the airlines told employees in a townhall on April 3, people present at the meeting told Moneycontrol.
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