AIESL Engineers, Technicians Urge for Overdue Pay Revision, Warn of Unrest

In a recent development that could potentially lead to industrial unrest, a joint forum comprising permanent engineers and technicians of the state-owned AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) has issued a warning. This comes in the wake of a settlement reached with the union representing Fixed Term Employment (FTE) staff, which had previously called off a strike action concerning salary revisions and promotions. The forum has now voiced its concerns over the long-pending implementation of revised salary payments for its members.

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The joint forum, representing a significant workforce within AIESL, has communicated directly with Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam. In their correspondence dated Tuesday, they stressed the urgency of disbursing the revised pay to permanent staff before addressing the revised payments for the company's contract staff. Highlighting the potential for "spontaneous actions or industrial unrest," the forum seeks immediate action to prevent any negative outcomes.

With around 1,900 members, the forum includes aircraft maintenance engineers, service engineers, and other allied cadre unions. These members are primarily from the erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines, now under AIESL following their transfer. Despite agreeing to a pay revision effective from January 2017, they claim that AIESL management has yet to implement these changes.

The letter also points out the disparity in treatment between different sections of employees within AIESL. It notes that while contractual employees are set to receive arrears, there has been a substantial increase in salaries for all FTEs, including non-technical staff, multiple times recently. This situation has led to confusion and dissatisfaction among permanent staff members.

A union representative highlighted that the basic salary of these 1,900 staff members is approximately 50% less than that of employees in other public sector undertakings (PSUs). With AIESL employing over 5,000 staff and providing a range of services including base and line maintenance as well as overhaul of various aircraft components, this discrepancy raises significant concerns about fairness and equity within the organization.

Following its disinvestment in 2022, AIESL operates under AI Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL). The joint forum's letter also addresses AIAHL Chairman and Managing Director Asangba Chuba Ao, urging both him and Secretary Vualnam to consider their grievances seriously and take swift action. They believe that resolving these issues promptly will not only restore trust and confidence among their members but also contribute to creating a more harmonious and productive work environment.

The situation at AIESL highlights ongoing challenges within state-owned enterprises in India, particularly regarding employee compensation and labor relations. As discussions continue, the resolution of these issues will be crucial in maintaining operational stability and ensuring employee satisfaction within AIESL.