High Court Slaps Contempt Notices on 9 Striking Union Leaders

Strategic Insights -

The Delhi High Court slapped contempt notices on nine union leaders of striking Air India pilots on May 3, 2011, as the airline management enforced the "no work, no pay" rule. The strike continued for a week, with the airline operating only 40 flights out of its 320 daily services. Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi expressed willingness to settle the issue, while the airline's management reconsidered termination and suspension orders if the pilots ended their strike immediately.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Delhi High Court slapped contempt notices on nine union leaders of striking Air India pilots for disobeying its order to call off the strike.
  • The airline management clamped the "no work, no pay" rule, not processing the April salaries of pilots who have not reported back for duty.
  • Seven pilots have been sacked and six suspended, but the management is willing to reconsider these orders if the strike is called off immediately.
  • The Justice Dharmadhikari Committee is considering the pilots' demand for compensation of 75 "fixed flying hours allowance" along with their "lay over subsistence allowance".
  • Senior lawyer Siddharth Luthra was appointed as amicus curiae by the court to assist on legal issues.
  • The court will take up the matter again on May 25.
  • The strike has resulted in a significant reduction of flights, with only 40 operating out of the usual 320 daily services.

Statistics:

  • 9 union leaders received contempt notices from the Delhi High Court.
  • 7 pilots have been sacked and 6 suspended by the airline management.
  • Only 40 flights operated out of 320 daily services due to the strike.
  • 90% of the airline's services were cancelled as a result of the strike.
  • April salaries of pilots who did not report for duty will not be processed by the airline's accounts department.
  • The management is willing to consider favourably the termination and suspension orders if the strike is called off immediately.
  • The Justice Dharmadhikari Committee is considering the pilots' demand for compensation of 75 "fixed flying hours allowance".

Sources:

  • PTI (Public Relations Department of the Government of India)
  • May 3, 2011 (Reuters News)