Air India Express accused of unfair labour practices by union

What is the story

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) has accused the airline of unfair labour practices, including issuing charge sheets to its members.

The union has requested the intervention of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), detailing its grievances in a letter.

The allegations surface as part of an ongoing conciliation process between cabin crew members and the airline’s management.

AIXEU says these actions undermine industrial relations, already strained by “unfair labor practices and labor law violations.”

Union demands charge sheets issued to people who took sick leave

AIXEU claims that charge sheets were issued to cabin crew members who took sick leave from May 6 to 8.

The union also claims that an investigation is underway against some of its members.

The move follows a May 7 strike, during which around 200 cabin crew members protested against alleged mismanagement at Air India Express, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations and termination of services for 25 cabin crew members.

Strike called off after conciliation meeting

The strike was called off on May 9 after a conciliation meeting between union representatives and management, convened by the Chief Labor Commissioner (Central).

The termination letters sent to the cabin crew were later withdrawn by Tata Group-owned Air India Express.

In its June 28 letter, the union attributed the problems to “monopolistic and inflexible management behaviour” and requested further intervention by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central).

Air India Express is yet to comment on the allegations.