"Privatisation: Indian airport staff threaten hunger strike"

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Privatisation: Airport staff threaten hunger strike
India - The Indian Express


New Delhi - Irked at not being taken into account by the Civil Aviation
Ministry on the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, the Airports
Authority Employees Union of India (AAEU) today warned of a relay hunger
strike across the country.

Though the AAEU has opposed privatisation of the two airports, insiders say
the idea is to pressure the Government to come to the negotiating table.
AAEU general secretary M.K. Ghosal told The Indian Express he was not
against any policy which would benefit the country provided somebody was
willing to explain the logic.

‘‘If privatising these two airports is going to be for the good of the
country, then why should any of us oppose it. But if you look at the
previous experiments with leasing out of airports, the result has been not
so encouraging. So if the Government wants to privatise the airports which
together generate 70 per cent of AAI revenue, then shouldn’t they consult us
before coming out with an announcement.’’

According to Ghosal, the Ministry never bothered to even sound them of the
developments on this issue let alone consulting them. ‘‘Look, we are going
to be directly affected. The Ministry says we will continue to remain
employed with the private company for three years. After that if the company
doesn’t want us, we will return to AAI fold. Tell me, will a person used to
working in Delhi and Mumbai agree to shift his station to Guwahati or some
other place?’’

As of now, the Union has called for a relay hunger strike at all airports
and in case of lack of response, it threatens to escalate matters by
proceeding on mass casual leave. ‘‘We will wait till September 26 before
making any move which will affect the passenger,’’ says Ghosal.

Discussions are already underway among different associations within the AAI
officers’ cadre on the issue.

Meanwhile, the AAI Officers Association of India has opposed the Ministry’s
move to appoint one of its joint secretaries as AAI chairman.

 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dc/dcboard.php

*****************************************