Striking AI unions to hold talks with management

NEW DELHI - Air India unions on Wednesday said they are ready to hold talks with the management over the gag order issue.

Over 20,000 employees, including engineers launched a nationwide flash strike on Tuesday to protest the gag order.

The gag order is a circular prohibiting union leaders from going public with their demands.

With the striking employees unrelenting on their demand for withdrawal of the gag order and the show cause notices to union leaders, the Air India management toughened its stand late last night threatening to even terminate employees if they did not call off their stir.

Passengers are facing a harrowing time as the airline cancelled over 75 domestic and international flights across the nation.

On Tuesday, over 50 domestic and international flights were cancelled while several others were delayed by over two hours.

Air India has announced a full refund to those whose flights were cancelled and made arrangements for hotel accommodation and local transport to those in transit.

The striking employees also are meeting the Chief Labour Commissioner S.K.Mukhopadhyay in New Delhi to place their demands. (ANI)