Ravi to hold parleys with AI unions
Immediately after taking over charge at his ministry on Thursday afternoon, new civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi said that he would hold consultations with all the unions of national carrier Air India to seek a solution to cure the airline of its financial ills. The minister made it clear that he would put his vast earlier experience as a trade unionist to good use in order to win the confidence of the unions and boost the morale of Air India and its employees.
In an exclusive interaction with this newspaper earlier on Wednesday evening, soon after being given additional charge of the civil aviation ministry, Mr Ravi had said his main priorities would be to ensure the financial turnaround of the loss-making national carrier, as well as to ensure timely flight operations of scheduled airlines so that passengers are not inconvenienced. Protection of passengers from any arbitrary spot fares charged by airlines is also expected to be part of the objective to protect the interests of passengers.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, Mr Ravi — who has a trade union background — said, “Air India is an institution which requires effort and coordinated activity. All unions working in Air India should support the ministry and minister.”
“I am here to hear them (unions). I will take the unions into confidence. I will discuss (matters pertaining to the airline) with them. The improvement of Air India is a priority area. Air India should make profits,” Mr Ravi said. The appointment of Mr Ravi as the civil aviation minister is also being seen as a strong signal by the government that Air India will remain a national carrier and will not be privatised.
Sources said that Mr Ravi is likely to call up all the unions of Air India and invite them for a discussion on how to turn around the national carrier. Unions in Air India have been on the defensive ever since two unions were derecognised last year by Air India following the strike.
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