Homepage > Investigative articles and scoops > A DEAL IN THE AIR
 |  In

A DEAL IN THE AIR

sundayiss
The inside story of how the civil aviation ministry got Indian Airlines pilots back to work

When Indian Airlines (IA) pilots got back to flying on 24 January, nearly five weeks after they struck work, one question remained unanswered: how did the two sharply polarised camps, the IA management and the pilots, finally come to an agreement? Apparently, no one in the airline’s management not even chairman and managing director L.Vasudev knew the details of the secret deal that had been worked out between the new civil aviation minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and the agitating pilots.

What exactly had gone on?

The pilots went on strike in December last year protesting against prevailing aircraft safety and maintenance standards and demanding a hike in wages and meal allowances. Not one to be cowed down, Vasudev refused to negotiate with the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (IPCA), declaring that he would prefer to lock out the airline rather than yield to the pilots’ demands. Fortunately, for him, he had the full support of the then Union civil aviation minister, Madhavrao Scindia.

Executive pilots were brought in to undertake flying duties for maintaining a skeletal service. However, when even the executive pilots struck work a couple of days later, the IA chief was forced to lease aircraft, along with the crew, from Uzbekistan Airlines.

Looking back, it was probably a pre-mature move; Vasudev later attracted the flak for hiring foreign planes with wet-lease taking into account their airworthiness. To make matters worse, a leased Uzbek plane crashed in New Delhi and Scindia resigned in a huff. Azad was appointed in the interim. And a few days later, on 24 January, the pilots were based at work.

It looked like business as usual for the time being, except that details of the secret deal between the pilots and the civil aviation ministry began trickling out. It has now become known that the civil aviation ministry had conceded to early all the demands of the pilots. Here is a list:

A 50 percent hike in allowances for real light refreshment and entertainment for a one-year period starting 1 January 1991. In the period between January 1992 and December 1995, the allowance rise would be 100 percent.

An assurance that the temporarily recruited executive pilots will fly lesser hours than line pilots.

Pilots with less than 4,500 flying hours or eight years of service will not be considered for basic jet command training. The management will not send the pilots for basic jet training without consulting the ICPA. Earlier, the management used to send junior pilots for duty in order to pre-empt strikes and resignations by their senior counterparts.

· The ICPA will now have a representative in the IA board to decide on promotions and perks for pilots. Previously, it was the management’s sole prerogative to do so.

· No administrative or operational instructions will be issued by the management that contravenes the operations manual and the authority of the pilot in command. In other words, the pilot’s decision will be supreme.

But that wasn’t all. Negotiations are still under way and the pilots have some more concessions coming their way. There are possibilities that the pilots have some more concessions coming their way. There are possibilities that the pilots will get what they had been asking for restoration of normal operations in all airfields as recommended by M.R. Sivaraman, director general of civil aviation(see box), removal of retired pilots who had been re-employed on contract during the strike and a review of the remuneration package.

Much of the airline’s top-brass is still in the dark over how the pilots managed to wrangle such a cushy deal. High-level sources in the IA management revealed that there was pressure from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the civil aviation ministry to end the strike and resume normal flight services. The Republic Day celebrations were round the corner and three heads of state Boris Yelstin, John Major and Helmut Kohl were scheduled to visit India.

Soon after the strike was lifted, the IA board met for a crucial meeting on 11 February and some members openly castigated Vasudev for hiring the Uzbek TU-154s without ensuring proper checks. Among those who were present at the meeting were AICC general secretary Ahmed Patel, Minorities Commission member Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, civil aviation joint secretary Brijesh Kumar, Air India CMD Yogi Deveshwar and industrialists V.K.Modi and Sanjay Goenka. Vasudev was smart enough to maintain a dignified silence throughout the discussions. Whether he was right or wrong in wet leasing the TU-154s remains a point of debate. But even die-hard Vasudev baiters agree that there was no way IA could have provided even a skeletal service once the executive pilots joined the strike.

Ostensibly, the 11 February meeting was being held to discuss such pressing affairs as free passage for canteen members, civil aviation diamond jubilee celebrations and an inventory of stores. But not surprisingly, all other points were put aside as the discussion centered around the pilots’ strike.

After a heated debate, two sub-committees were formed to go into various aspects of the strike. One committee would look into the financial demands of all the IA unions while the second one would go into the financing of new A320s to be inducted into the IA fleet. The all-important issue of the secret deal with the pilots wasn’t raised at all. So, on 3 March, the matter was brought up at another board meeting.

That day, Vasudev was once again at receiving end. One board member thundered, “What do you mean that an agreement has been signed between the management and the agitating pilots. Why should we have to approve of it when we weren’t even consulted?” Another agitated member asked, “What are the board members for? Why weren’t we involved in the negotiations? Are we mere rubber stamps? Kya hum gaddha hain (are we donkeys)?”

Vasudev clearly was had no answers Looking grim, he said, “I was summoned by the minister and ordered to sign the agreement immediately. “It was a difficult situation for Vasudev, who had the image of a hard taskmaster during his earlier stint with Madras Fertilisers.

The fall-out of the deal has not been too good for the airline. No sooner had the pilots resumed duty, other IA unions started flexing their muscles. The Air Corporation Employees Union (ACEU), the All India Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Association (AIA-MEA) and the India Aircrafts Technicians Association (IATA) have all been making noises over their wages and allowances. Charges AIAMEA chairman of the Delhi region B.Dayal, “Our wages have not been revised since 1990. If they can concede to the demands of pilots why shouldn’t we also agitate?” Commenting on the bitterness within IA,ICPA spokesman Shakti Lumba sarcastically remarked, “They (AIAMEA) want allowances and perks that correspond to the pilots’ level”.

Indian Airlines, meanwhile, is hurtling to wards the point of no return. In the financial year of 1992-93, the public sector undertaking had suffered a loss of Rs.150 crore. With enhanced allowances adding to the lengthening list of expenses, it will be a long time before the airline finally emerges out of the red.

Comments: 558 replies added

  1. 醫學美容 Ultra V Lift 4D埋線 cosmedicbook October 5, 2018

    激光是單一波段的光能 , 在同一時間發射 , 光線能量較為集中 , 能深入皮膚打擊患處之異常色素或血管 , 溫和地刺激皮膚內的骨膠原更生, 新生的骨膠原令您的膚質光澤柔嫩 , 煥然一新 , 抗老效果顯著。有效治療色斑(雀斑 , 太陽斑 , 咖啡斑 , 太田痣 , 紋身) , 血管問題 (葡萄色斑 , 微絲血管擴張) , 膚色不均 , 皮膚鬆弛 , 毛孔粗大 治療後皮膚會出現短暫的紅腫 , 要注意防曬及遵照醫生指示護理皮膚 http://cosmedicbook.com/treatments/info/Ultra-V-Lift-4D埋線

  2. 碳粉激光 October 6, 2018

    每一小瓶的濃縮美白成分採用了高滲透度的麴酸EX。密集式的美白精華，有助帶來完美無暇、剔透亮澤的極緻亮白美肌。 https://skinac.com/tag/碳粉激光

  4. Wealth Link Credit 富通信貸 » 貸款需知 October 8, 2018

    「一按」利息可低至9，免申請手續費 ， 無入息 ， 不限物業種類! 全期定息按揭. 輕鬆套現. 免審查個人信貸. 淨供息樓花按揭. http://wealthlink.hk/?page_id=122

  5. 醫學美容 花漾 cosmetic.wiki October 11, 2018

    寵愛之名。乙基維他命Ｃ美白系列，侯佩岑代言14天有感美白,淡斑，讓你擁有最透亮的淨白無瑕～ @ 潮流、美妝、消費 創造個人化風格的女性社群 PIXstyleMe 寵愛之名。乙基維他命Ｃ美白系列，侯佩岑代言14天有感美白,淡斑，讓你擁有最透亮的淨白無瑕～ https://cosmetic.wiki/tag/花漾

  6. 文化館 October 12, 2018

    有關雙眼皮手術、割雙眼皮、上眼皮手術、雙眼皮成形術、縫雙眼皮、訂書針雙眼皮等一些術前術後、詳細敘述比較。 https://skinac.com/tag/文化館

  7. Tulip Hifu 高強度聚焦超聲波療程 October 13, 2018

    我們採用國際及美國食品及藥物管理局FDA認可的CO2 激光儀 LUTRONICS® SPECTRA SPR, 具安全性, 準確度高 . 二氧化碳激光可安全地去除皮膚上的癦痣、肉粒、疣、老人斑等問題。此激光的幼細光束可準確及直接地將要去除的組織氧化，過程快捷，傷口細小及乾淨，對周圍的皮膚傷害減至最少。一般1-2次就可永久去除。 http://cosmedicbook.com/treatments/info/Tulip-Hifu-高強度聚焦超聲波療程

  8. 醫學美容 瘦身大作戰 cosmetic.wiki October 16, 2018

    [穿搭] EVA 新世紀福音戰士&Peach John聯名內衣 ♥ 甜美可愛又融入角色的女孩限定款 ♥ @ 潮流、美妝、消費 創造個人化風格的女性社群 PIXstyleMe [穿搭] EVA 新世紀福音戰士&Peach John聯名內衣 ♥ 甜美可愛又融入角色的女孩限定款 ♥ https://cosmetic.wiki/tag/瘦身大作戰

  9. 醫學美容 唇膏筆 cosmetic.wiki October 17, 2018

    真正的醫療級面膜----Eternity Pure 鐳射修護生物纖維面膜 真正的醫療級面膜----Eternity Pure 生物纖維面膜生物纖維是臨床醫學上可用於燙燒傷皮膚的替代物，而正是此原理，生物纖維面膜質材好像醫學手術後傷口除痕矽膠貼片，具有透氣卻不吸水的特性加上EP採用最新一代特殊加工方式製成，利用自然界複合微生物菌群（FDA認可GRAS）經嚴謹的發酵技術，孕育衍生而成的奈米級有機纖維材質，可均勻地使每片生物纖維面膜都注入特定功效成分，使每一滴精華都能夠全面地 https://cosmetic.wiki/tag/唇膏筆

  10. 醫學美容 美肌優惠 cosmetic.wiki October 20, 2018

    TSUBAKI 思波綺 【特殊護理】瞬間護髮霧(毛躁髮適用)升級版的商品介紹 TSUBAKI 思波綺,特殊護理,瞬間護髮霧(毛躁髮適用)升級版 https://cosmetic.wiki/tag/美肌優惠

  11. 醫學美容-聲波-香港微整-cosmetic-wiki October 26, 2018

    St.Clare 聖克萊爾 【清潔調理系列】深層淨膚泥膜的商品介紹 St.Clare 聖克萊爾,清潔調理系列,深層淨膚泥膜 https://cosmetic.wiki/tags/聲波-香港微整

  12. 醫學美容-銀箔-免洗定型-cosmetic-wiki October 28, 2018

    Cellina 雪芙蘭 商品一覽 找品牌 以UrCosme指數高至低排序 第1頁 Cellina 雪芙蘭 化妝品商品一覽，提供 Cellina 雪芙蘭的產品列表，以UrCosme指數高至低排列，共171件，Cellina 雪芙蘭的搜尋結果之第1頁 https://cosmetic.wiki/tags/銀箔-免洗定型

  13. futbol.run European Qualifiers - Albania - Ledian Memushaj November 21, 2018

    Tom Heaton has played his first game since dislocating a shoulder five months ago. He came through 90 minutes of Burnley's behind closed draw with Blackpool on Tuesday. Burnley star Tom Heaton completes comeback in closed-doors match after five months out with shoulder injury https://bit.ly/2S3sXus

  14. Jimmie Idemoto January 19, 2019

    This is the suitable blog for anybody who desires to seek out out about this topic. You realize a lot its nearly onerous to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just great! http://www.folorentorium.com/

  15. smore traiolit April 15, 2020

    I truly enjoy reading on this site, it holds wonderful content. http://www.smoretraiolit.com/

  16. grolyrtolemcs July 3, 2020

    Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog! http://www.grolyrtolemcs.com/

  17. Isis January 5, 2021

    Taxi moto line 128 Rue la Boétie 75008 Paris +33 6 51 612 712   Taxi moto paris I think the admin of this web page is actually working hard in favor of his web site, since here every material is quality based material. Also visit my web blog :: hey

  18. superbeets January 16, 2021

    Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it's really informative. I'm gonna watch out for brussels. I'll appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!| superbeets http://sayyac.mynet.com/tiklama/393?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bsaa.edu.ru%2Fbitrix%2Frk.php%3Fgoto%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fsites.google.com%2Fview%2Fswissrxreview%2Fsuperbeets-review

  29. Cwqqux July 17, 2021

    ivermectin tablets order - ivermectin tablets

  31. Nazvxt July 20, 2021

    buy amoxicilin 500 mg mexico - amoxicillin buy amoxicillina 500 mg from mexico

  54. Qkysml August 28, 2021

    buy sildenafil india - viagra comparison prices

  63. Xcdvca September 9, 2021

    sildenafil citrate online - site viagra 50 mg cost

  67. Oasuco September 15, 2021

    furosemide 20 mg tablets - clomid tablets price of furosemide 20mg tablets

  77. Tjlchi September 28, 2021

    viagra generic in united states - Cialis price tadalafil 20mg cheap online

  84. Ianfvg October 7, 2021

    how to buy viagra over the counter uk - female viagra how can i get sildenafil

  87. Zvdivz October 11, 2021

    tadalafil tablets for female hindi - cialis pro tadalafil tablets 20mg

  91. Mmrjgp October 16, 2021

    can i buy viagra without prescription - realsilpll sildenafil 100 mg tablets coupon

  103. Xcuvtf November 1, 2021

    canadian online pharmacy prednisone - sterapred ds prednisone 50 mg tablet

  118. Gaoxjv November 12, 2021

    over the counter ed pills - ed remedies medicine for impotence

  170. Cebbsputs December 2, 2021

    mailing prescription drugs across state lines Forxiga

  200. Tirras December 13, 2021

    buy lyrica 150mg online cheap - lasix dosage cheap lasix for sale

  226. Qahqwa December 22, 2021

    order vardenafil online - buy orlistat orlistat without prescription

  239. BiBeozjo January 5, 2022

    tadalafil without a doctor prescription https://extratadalafill.com/

  240. Heaefw January 5, 2022

    order generic accutane 20mg - amoxil pill cheap amoxil generic

  250. tadalafil January 16, 2022

    https://cialisbusd.com/ tadalafil order online no prescription

  258. Hr34owardlat January 22, 2022

    [url=https://streamhub.shop/]накрутка зрителей twitch[/url]

  261. Thypeyvpd January 25, 2022

    https://cialisedot.com/ tadalafil online

  262. Eurwtj January 26, 2022

    buy tadalafil 5mg for sale - provigil price ivermectin 6 mg over the counter

  265. Thyperumc January 28, 2022

    tadalafil cost walmart https://cialisicp.com/

  268. Reqjmh January 31, 2022

    play online casino real money - casino games buy azithromycin 250mg pills

  277. AndrewVethy February 9, 2022

    [url=https://streamhub.world/]streamhub.world[/url]

  283. buy cialis usa February 12, 2022

    https://cialiswbtc.com/ cheap generic cialis for sale

  288. Davidweeds February 18, 2022

    open vpn [url="https://addonsvpn.com/"]best antivirus with vpn[/url] vpn for windows

  296. buy cialis February 22, 2022

    cialis cost https://nextadalafil.com/

  309. Jfjeah March 4, 2022

    order zithromax 250mg generic - lasix canada medrol online pharmacy

  314. Thypeniqp March 9, 2022

    https://cialisicp.com/ tadalafil online with out prescription

  316. Ezphyg March 11, 2022

    tadalafil 40mg cost - viagra brand sildenafil without prescription

  318. Camilla March 14, 2022

    I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I'm assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I'm not very web savvy so I'm not 100% certain. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it My website hotshot bald cop

  335. cheap cialis March 23, 2022

    https://cialisvet.com/ tadalafil generic where to buy

  339. cheap cialis March 24, 2022

    https://cialistrxy.com/ tadalafil

  344. BiBeqyrb March 25, 2022

    https://nextadalafil.com/ tadalafil without a doctor prescription

  348. buy cialis pills March 27, 2022

    cheap generic cialis for sale https://cialisusdc.com/

  360. Stevengooda April 1, 2022

    [url=https://streamhub.world]streamhub[/url]

  383. best fake rolex April 11, 2022

    best replica watches online https://bit.ly/replica-watches-best

  426. sex strip chat May 10, 2022

    I am a mother looking to chat. https://tinyurl.com/y25t5w5g

  438. Thalia Hebron May 25, 2022

    I just bookmarked your site. https://tinyurl.com/y648cwhf

  447. Cxhwcf May 29, 2022

    order prednisone without prescription - cheap ed drugs order isotretinoin 20mg online

  457. SlonLeS June 5, 2022

    2l3fq onqx2 [url=http://novrazbb.com/#]d3pp[/url]

  467. wyknjutb June 12, 2022

    what Causes Leg Pain And Weakness With Cialis?

  469. 8mg zanaflex June 14, 2022

    viagra tablets online [url=https://australiacialis.quest/#]cialis before and after photos [/url] how long viagra takes to work how to take cialis 20 mg

  471. rjmzjrul June 15, 2022

    https://stromectolusdt.com/ stromectol 12 mg

  475. tizanidine 44 June 17, 2022

    neurontin tinnitus [url=https://neurontin.site/#]gabapentin 900 mg [/url] what is a normal dose of neurontin what is a gabapentin

  485. tadalafil india June 20, 2022

    cialis tadalafil 20mg [url=http://australiaviagra.today/#]off brand viagra [/url] does viagra have long term side effects cialis how much to take

  491. viagra doses 200 mg June 23, 2022

    priligy in canada [url=https://priligy.site/#]purchase priligy [/url] comprar priligy original en mexico how long do effects of priligy last

  493. yfluojsa June 24, 2022

    https://www.ivermectinoge.com/ generic stromectol

  494. alopecia June 24, 2022

    200mg of viagra [url=http://viagranz.xyz/#]viagra commercials [/url] where can i buy real viagra why take viagra

  498. latisse brow June 27, 2022

    kamagra homme effet [url=https://kamagrafr.online/#]ou commander du kamagra [/url] kamagra en vente libre en france ou trouver kamagra sans ordonnance

  504. kyhqlxoa July 1, 2022

    ivermectin pills stromectol http://www.ivermectinoge.com/

  506. black viagra 200mg July 3, 2022

    cialis low dose [url=https://viagranz.xyz/#]viagra women [/url] cialis 20mg vs viagra 100mg how does viagra affect women

  511. HaroldFlody July 4, 2022

    [url=https://streamhub.shop/trovo]Накрутка зрителей трово[/url]

  517. ivermectin ireland July 10, 2022

    orlistat preço pacheco [url=http://xenical.icu/#]xenical 120 mg pris [/url] side effects of orlistat (xenical) where can i buy orlistat online

  520. diflucan online July 13, 2022

    baclofen and gerd [url=https://baclofen.guru/#]baclofen 20 mg pill [/url] what is baclofen 10 mg for how much baclofen can i take at once

  525. 20 mg of prednisone July 15, 2022

    baricitinib definition [url=http://baricitinib.online/#]olumiant baricitinib [/url] baricitinib other names olumiant prescribing information us

  529. diflucan brand name July 17, 2022

    ivermectin vs permethrin [url=https://ivermectin.beauty/#]stromectol tablets uk [/url] ivermectin 3 mg for scabies why is ivermectin cream for rosacea so expensive?

  541. valtrex 500 mg coupon July 26, 2022

    doxycycline and tylenol [url=http://doxycyclineus.com/#]doxyciclin [/url] doxycycline for sinus infection reviews what is doxycycline used to treat?

  543. Einopu July 28, 2022

    purchase sildenafil cialis usa buy deltasone 10mg online cheap

  546. doxycycline capsules india July 29, 2022

    herbal viagra australia [url=https://cialisamerica.com/#]viagra vs cialis [/url] cheap viagra australia fast delivery viagra not working why

  549. synthroid 100mcg tab August 2, 2022

    naltrexone and thc [url=https://reviaus.com/#]oral naltrexone [/url] low dose naltrexone hashimoto's and weight loss how does naltrexone help sex offfenders

  555. brand cialis usa August 4, 2022

    online valtrex prescription [url=https://valtrexus.com/#]buy valtrex pills [/url] valtrex 1 gram dosage cold sore how much valacyclovir should i take for shingles

Join in: leave your comment