All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) has termed Tata Group-owned Air India's policy of sharing rooms for a section of crew members as “illegal and illegal”. AICCA has requested the Labor Ministry to intervene in the matter and urged it to stop this move. The association is demanding hotel accommodation and accommodation conditions which are in line with the accommodation policy for the pilots as per previous agreements and tribunal decisions. The association has also written to Air India chief Campbell Wilson, urging him not to violate the existing status quo and keep in mind the sanctity of the industrial tribunal and the pending industrial dispute on the issue.
Proposal to make unilateral changes in the terms of service
It is noteworthy that under the new policy, effective from December 1, ahead of the merger with Vistara on November 11, members, except crew officers and those operating ultra-long-haul flights, will have to share rooms for accommodation. The 'All India Cabin Crew' Association is a 50 year old registered trade association representing Indian and foreign airline crew members across India. “Our attention has been drawn to the notice issued by Air India on its bulletin board, inter alia, regarding pending cases before the National Industrial Tribunal,” the association said in a notice sent to the Chief Labor Commissioner (CLC), New Delhi. There is a proposal to make unilateral changes in the service conditions of crew members during an industrial dispute regarding accommodation and similar matters.
Will be forced to share a room
Under this, they will be forced to share rooms during overnight stays from December 1. It said, 'Without any prejudice, we should be the first to oppose it and register our protest against this cruel step. It must be said that this is an illegal step and a change in the conditions of service under the IESO (Industrial Employees Standing Orders Act). The association said that AICCA has already written a letter to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air India on this matter. Also, immediate assistance has been requested from CLC so that “this illegal action can be stopped, and till the proceedings on this matter are pending, action can be initiated under Section 33.” Air India has refused to comment on this matter. According to the association, in 2018, an attempt was made to take a similar step by the then Air India management and the Civil Aviation Ministry, which was also opposed by AICCA on legal, ethical and moral grounds.
Image Credit: India-Tv.