A day after calling off their strike, Air India pilots said that it may be another two months before flight operations normalise.
“We have started the procedure of joining work. However, this will take time. The pilots have to undergo medical tests and other procedures. These may take anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 months. It all depends on the AI management,” Captain Tauseef Mukadam, Joint Secretary of Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), told the media here on Wednesday.
The strike was called off on the Delhi High Court’s directive, following the management agreeing to give a “sympathetic assurance” to the pilots’ grievance. It will also include reinstatement of the 101 pilots (including the 10 office bearers of the IPG) terminated during the 58-day long strike.
The reconciliation process will start on July 6 between the IPG and AI management in the presence of the Chief Labour Commissioner. “The report of the reconciliation proceedings will be tabled before the High Court on July 9, and then, they will decide on further action,” Captain Tauseef said.
The pilots were hopeful that the management will fulfil the demands of IPG and amicably settle the dispute. When asked about the issue of reinstatement of the 10 pilots and de-recognition of IPG by AI management, he said that all these will be brought up with the management during the reconciliatory process.