Conciliation talks between AI management, pilots begin

New Delhi: Conciliation talks between the Air India management and pilots, who went on a 58-day strike in support of their career progression issues, started on Tuesday. The parleys, which were held before the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner, came in the backdrop of Delhi High Court asking both sides to hold talks on daily basis and report back to it on July 13.

Sources said both sides stuck to their respective positions during the day-long negotiations.

The talks will continue on Wednesday, they said.

Over 400 Air India pilots had gone on strike on May 7 demanding better career progression.

The Delhi High Court had on Monday directed the Air India management and its pilots to hold conciliation process on a day-to-day basis before the Deputy Labour Commissioner to expeditiously resolve issues relating to reinstatement of sacked pilots and career progression.

Justice Reva Khetrapal, while accepting the interim report filed by the conciliating officer about the progress of ongoing negotiations between the parties, directed the pilots and management officials to appear before the officer on Tuesday.

Seeking a final report from the conciliator after the talks between the parties, the court had posted the matter for July 13 for further hearing.

Following the management's assurance before the court to consider reinstatement of the 101 pilots whose services were terminated, the pilots, owing allegiance to the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), had on July 3 called off their strike.

Over 400 pilots had gone on strike on May 7 demanding better career progression.

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