New Delhi: Air India pilots union (ICPA) has threatened to “stop work” if the airline fails to arrange vaccination camps on a ‘pan India` foundation for the flying crew.
In a letter written to Air India`s Director of Operations RS Sandhu, ICPA stated, “With no healthcare support to the flying crew, no insurance, and a massive opportunistic pay cut, we are in no position to continue risking the lives of our pilots without vaccination.”
“Our finances are already spread thin covering our bedridden colleagues and provisioning for families lest we inadvertently infect them with the deadly virus that is an ever-present occupational hazard for us.”
“If Air India fails to set up vaccination camps on a Pan India basis for the flying crew above the age of 18 years on priority, we will stop work,” the ICPA stated.
Air India pilot union, Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) writes to its Director (Operations), stating, “If Air India fails to set up vaccination camps on a pan India basis for the flying crew above the age of 18 years on priority, we will Stop Work.” #COVID19
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2021
According to the union, many Air India crew members have been identified as Covid constructive and are struggling to get oxygen cylinders. “We are left to fend for ourselves for hospitalisation. The management continues to do what it does best, providing lip service and playing to the gallery by issuing circulars and letters with no outcome.”
“We have gone above and past throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, risking life and limb to guarantee our residents` well-being. Due to our unwavering help, VBM & aid operations proceed to run easily even within the face of a resurgence of even deadlier strains of Covid-19.
All we acquired in return for our dedication and sacrifices is a large discriminatory pay lower.”
Besides, the letter stated that union members felt let down by the “self-serving approach of the management, which sees no injustice in organising vaccine camps at few bases but excludes pilots”.
“The workers who’re doing desk jobs and the bulk opting to work at home are allowed to get vaccinated, leaving the flying crew weak,” the ICPA stated in its letter.
