Breakthrough in Air India Express crisis with employees returning to duty; terminated workers reinstated

The airline's management has also agreed to reinstate 25 crew members who were sacked over the protests, the Labour Commissioner's office said.

The proceedings to mediate were held at the Labour Commissioner's office on Thursday and representatives of the airline's management and the Air India Express Employees Union attended.

A document was signed during the meeting by representatives of both the management and a union comprising a section of the employees.

"It is reported by the media that the cabin crew of Air India Express Ltd. have reported sick-en-masse which disrupted flight operations widely... After detailed discussions deliberation, persuasion and on appeal of Conciliation Officer and Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) the representative of union (members of cabin crew) agreed that all the cabin crew members who have reported sick will report for duty with fitness certificate immediately," the document, accessed by NDTV, said.

"On appeal of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) the management agreed to reinstate 25 cabin crew who have been terminated on 07th and 08th May 2024 for reporting sick as a concerted action immediately. The management will review the cases of these cabin crew as per service regulations," it added.

The Labour Commissioner's office said the management gave an assurance that all the issues raised by the cabin crew before them and during conciliation proceedings would be looked into and resolved.

The move will come as relief to passengers as hundreds were left stranded on Wednesday owing to the sudden cancellations.

On Wednesday, Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh wrote to employees to inform them that the number of flights being operated will be reduced over the next few days.

He said all cabin crew members are expected to return to work immediately and services are likely to be normalised in three to four days.