JET AIRWAYS LABOUR DISPUTE

HAROON. A

VAISAKH .A VISWANATH ANANTH

JET AIRWAYS
Jet Airways (India) Private Limited is India's leading

private airline.
It boasts a market share of about 29 percent. Jet operates a relatively young fleet of Boeing 737 jets

and ATR72 turboprops.

It carries about seven million passengers a year.

The Problem
Sept 8 2009, 650 pilots went on a mass sick leave.
Why???-

Two pilots were sacked. Captain Sam Thomas. Captain D Balaraman.

On Aug. 23rd the National Aviators Guild (NAG)

warned that they would go on strike from Sep. 7th if both the pilots were not reinstated.

The Prelude..
On October 2008 around 1900 employees were fired.
Mass agitation by political parties and employees. N.A.G( NATIONAL AVIATORS GUILD ) formed on

24th July, President Girish Kaushik. Jet airways response for the sacking Active participation in the formation of the union.

 Both parties remained strong on there position.

July 2009- termination of service.

August 31 Labor commissioner intervenes. September 7 Last date for reply, the agitation gathers

pace . September 9- More politically backed unions offers support. September 12- Solution.

The Employees Perspective

Violation of legal right to form a union. Absence of job security For resignation, six months due n0tice is to be given

but in termination, it is only six minutes Management hiring expats over Indian pilots. Expats gets better privileges. No progression for Indian pilots. It was actually not a strike We were on Sick Leave ( But 650 of them??)

The Management Perspective

Layoff was because of industrial slowdown
The expats were employed to improve the image

globally The management catered to the needs of the employees even during the protest by sending doctors The trade unions often backed by political parties tried to show off their power The protest was masked as a sick leave which was unethical

The Management Problem

More than 80 % of passengers shifted to other carriers. Full refund for cancelled flights. Loss of goodwill. Other carriers doubling rates.

Airline industry already in losses.

From 8 to 13 September:
Jet Airways lost 200 crores in just five days. Cancellation of 134 domestic and 32 international Flights. Average passenger per day dropped from 23000/day to

14000/day.

The Solution By Jet Airways

Reinstatement of employees. Reduced fare upto 50%. Full refund to passengers.

Formation of a consultative group.

No punitive actions.

Explanations and Suggestions

The ultimate result was the public were cheated.
Both sides trying to show off there power. Management accused of discrimination- no actions

taken. Employees masking protest in mass sick leave. Management extending the discussions. Lack of communication between both parties. Performance based promotions. Attend to the racism allegations raised by employees.

India and Labor Law Renovation

The time has come for us to take stock of our labor laws and see how best we c an in fact serve the interests of the working people -Dr. Manmohan Singh
An effective labor awareness program is what the country needs now.

THANK YOU!!!!