Date:18/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/18/stories/2008041854340700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Air India employees on the warpath

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Over 400 employees of Air India have threatened to boycott their duties at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Shamshabad, from April 26 if the airport operator failed to provide them basic amenities, according to regional secretary of Air Corporation Employees’ Union S.P. Sudhakar on Thursday.

As part of their protest, the employees staged a demonstration in front of the Passengers Terminal Building on Thursday, demanding better amenities.

The 400 employees at the airport include cabin crew, ground handling staff and engineers.

Amenities lacking

Mr. Sudhakar said that the employees were facing problems due to absence of washrooms and restrooms.

Staffers were forced to purchase water bottles at exorbitant rates as there was no drinking water facility on the airport premises.

“We have represented the matter to our senior officials who told that the airport management has to provide all such facilities.

As there was no response, we have decided to intensify our agitation,” said Mr. Sudhakar. Even the employees working in private airlines were facing similar situation.

RGIA officials clarified that they took proactive measures by providing many facilities to employees of various airlines leading to seamless shifting of operations from Begumpet.

Even Air India management had appreciated the RGIA for facilities provided in the airport, they claimed.

Many issues raised by the union members pertained to their employer National Aviation Company of India Limited, and RGIA had no role to play on such issues, officials added.