Why service extension in Air India when salaries delayed: Union

Chennai: At a time when national carrier Air India is facing financial difficulties and the government is looking out for a buyer, what is the need for giving service extension for managerial non-technical personnel, an Air Corporations Employees Union (ACEU) official said.

In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S. Puri dated March 2, ACEU President C. Uday Shankar said: “Air India is presently on the path towards disinvestment and the payment of wages for the serving employees is delayed by two to three weeks stating shortage of funds, then why the wage bill is further raised by granting extension of service post-retirement?”

According to the ACEU, the decision to extend service on a contract basis to the non-technical managerial staff at high costs is not in the interest of Air India. Uday Shankar also wondered that the officials can contribute to a post-retirement extension when they were not able to contribute to the turnaround of the company while in regular service.

“All over India, 202 employees were given contract engagement. Other than pilots and engineers, there were 127 in Air India and 21 in AI Airport Services Limited (AIAPS), formerly Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL),” Uday Shankar said. (IANS)

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