Pilots strike sending wrong signals: Cong leader to RS

The issue of Air India pilots strike was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday by Congress MP Ram Chandra Khuntia,who said frequent strikes were creating a bad atmosphere and sending wrong signals to the international community about the national carrier. He asked for immediate steps to resolve the crisis.

Raising the issue during the zero hour,Khuntia said even after a large financial package was given to Air India,salaries of pilots and other staff were not paid and passengers were facing problems. It is not convincing that even after a big financial package,the strike is continuing8230; it is creating a bad atmosphere and sending wrong messages to the international community, he said,adding that the tax payers money is given to run Air India8230; the HR department of Air India has failed to resolve the situation. Derecognition of the union and suspension of pilots is not a permanent solution, he said,questioning whether the strike was due to the fault of the pilots or the HR department.

It is a a very serious matter, said P J Kurien,who was in the Chair.