Revival strategy: PIA unions tone down rhetoric, drop confrontational stance
Unions ask govt to reconsider, as privatisation all but imminent.
The government has decided to sell a 26% stake along with management control to private investors. PHOTO: FILE.
KARACHI:
Retreating from the confrontational stance it took in the past, a confederation representing various unions of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday urged the government to appoint competent managers instead of privatising the national carrier.
The Joint Action Committee of PIA Employees (JACPIAE) said it was not looking for any confrontation with the government over the privatisation issue, which has jeopardised thousands of jobs, in the larger interest of the national airline.
“PIA cannot afford a standstill. We know operations can’t be stopped no matter what,” said Captain Sohail Baloch, addressing a press conference. “But we will use other options like seeking legal assistance.”
The government has decided to sell a 26% stake along with management control to private investors. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given the final nod to the proposal, which seeks to stop the drainage of billions of rupees of taxpayers’ money that PIA needs to remain afloat.
Baloch, who is also President of the Pakistan Airlines’ Pilots Association (Palpa), regretted that the government was sticking to its privatisation stance.
JACPIAE was behind the massive protests which led to the ouster of former managing director Aijaz Haroon three years ago when he tried to strike a code-share deal with Turkish Airlines.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers were left stranded when PIA employees barged into airports across the country demanding Haroon’s exit.
But the latest statement from unions was devoid of fiery rhetoric and only spoke of measures, which they feel can help revive the airline.
To start with, the unions want the government to appoint a competent board, chairman and CEO who is not a political appointee. “Everyone is after the employees, everyone wants to cut the salaries but no one is considering all the other ways to save money,” complained Baloch.
It has been months since Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association submitted a detailed study to PIA’s management on how to save at least Rs20 billion a year in fuel cost by reducing aircraft weight and turnaround times.
The unions want a judicial commission to investigate all alleged cases of corruption and take those officials to task who have contributed to PIA’s decline.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2013.
Retreating from the confrontational stance it took in the past, a confederation representing various unions of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday urged the government to appoint competent managers instead of privatising the national carrier.
The Joint Action Committee of PIA Employees (JACPIAE) said it was not looking for any confrontation with the government over the privatisation issue, which has jeopardised thousands of jobs, in the larger interest of the national airline.
“PIA cannot afford a standstill. We know operations can’t be stopped no matter what,” said Captain Sohail Baloch, addressing a press conference. “But we will use other options like seeking legal assistance.”
The government has decided to sell a 26% stake along with management control to private investors. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given the final nod to the proposal, which seeks to stop the drainage of billions of rupees of taxpayers’ money that PIA needs to remain afloat.
Baloch, who is also President of the Pakistan Airlines’ Pilots Association (Palpa), regretted that the government was sticking to its privatisation stance.
JACPIAE was behind the massive protests which led to the ouster of former managing director Aijaz Haroon three years ago when he tried to strike a code-share deal with Turkish Airlines.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers were left stranded when PIA employees barged into airports across the country demanding Haroon’s exit.
But the latest statement from unions was devoid of fiery rhetoric and only spoke of measures, which they feel can help revive the airline.
To start with, the unions want the government to appoint a competent board, chairman and CEO who is not a political appointee. “Everyone is after the employees, everyone wants to cut the salaries but no one is considering all the other ways to save money,” complained Baloch.
It has been months since Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association submitted a detailed study to PIA’s management on how to save at least Rs20 billion a year in fuel cost by reducing aircraft weight and turnaround times.
The unions want a judicial commission to investigate all alleged cases of corruption and take those officials to task who have contributed to PIA’s decline.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2013.