ISLAMABAD
Pakistan Air Line Pilots’ Association (PALPA) has rejected unilateral changes made by PIACL management in the admin order (07/2016) during the Board of Directors meeting recently.
In a statement on Saturday, Palpa said that PIA has approved changes in the said admin order without consulting Palpa therefore; this is the breach of working agreement between PIA and Palpa, 2011-2013.
Palpa wrote a letter to PIA management before the board meeting and demanded consultation before any changes in the said admin order. Palpa demanded consultation as per clause 1.5 of PALPA-PIAC Working Agreement 2011-2013.
It is to be noted that in the board meeting of the airline, the agreed emoluments vide Admin Order No. 07/2016 along with Annex-A were presented to the Board Members for revision unilaterally.
Palpa gave a reference of MoUs dated March 18, 2016, April 19, 2016, and May 13, 2016 with PALPA and the same was approved by the PIA. The Admin Order, No. 07/2016, was issued by the BoD in its 1st meeting held in May 2016 in this regard.
In response to the above stated Admin Order, a letter (reference PALPA/G/122/605 dated June 1, 2016) by Palpa was written to the director flight operations in which certain reservations of the Executive Committee vis-a-vis the Admin Order were mentioned.
PALPA’s Executive Committee and the entire membership of PALPA followed the said Admin Order based on the three MoUs in letter and spirit, whereas, there have been various gross violations of the said Admin Order by the PIA management.
Palpa stated that the violations to the agreement were: unilateral deduction of 19pc from the gross salaries of all pilots as stated in Annex-A of Admin Order No. 07/2017; salary disbursement is made in two parts, whereas, the second part of the salary is not accompanied by any paperwork/salary slip; re-induction of A-310 aircraft into PIACL fleet whereas the said aircraft was declared redundant effective December 31, 2016, as of this regular promotions on B-777 have been denied.
Also, denial of night credit and supernumerary travel till date despite that it is an international law; block time is tailored to meet the ANO requirements. However, actual duty time falls outside the ambit of the ANO, hence violating the law, creating a flight safety hazard and affecting the health of the flight crew. The severity of this issue is of such an extent that even management pilots are also affected.
Moreover, no methodology has been devised yet to place first officers of B-777 as captain of A-320; and acute shortage of crew on B-777, creating extra flying beyond 75 hours and utilizing their off days, resulting in heavy financial impact on the national exchequer.
“It is imperative that a harmonious and cordial relationship amongst management and its employees be maintained. Unilateral decisions generally are non-conducive towards such progress and prosperity between any two stakeholders working to achieve smooth flight operation, progress and expansion of the national flag carrier,” he added.
It is to be noted that PALPA-PIAC Working Agreement 2011-2013 is a mutually agreed official document which has been duly endorsed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Court of Sindh.
