Air India has suspended 10 cabin crew members due to their protest against the new room-sharing policy.  

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Air India (AI), owned by Tata Group, suspended 10 cabin crew members on Monday for reportedly encouraging others to protest against the airline’s new policy, as per a report from news agency PTI citing a source. In preparation for the Air India-Vistara merger in November, AI has implemented a revised policy that mandates some cabin crew members to share rooms during layovers. The policy will take effect on December 1. The All India Cabin Crew Association opposed the room-sharing requirement, calling it “illegal, legally flawed, and void from the beginning on several grounds.” It has also requested the Union labour ministry’s involvement to address the issues. According to the updated policy, cabin crew members will need to share rooms during layovers, except for cabin executives and those on ultra-long-haul flights prior to the merger. Cabin crew on ultra-long-haul flights will be provided single rooms during layovers, as well as during unscheduled layovers due to flight diversions. Cabin executives, who are experienced members with about 8 years of flying experience, will also receive single rooms during layovers. Typically, ultra-long-haul flights are those lasting 16 hours or more. Following the merger, Air India and Vistara will have a total workforce of around 25,000, including about 12,000 cabin crew members. Loss-making Air India was taken over by the Tata Group in January 2022, and since then, several changes have been implemented to enhance the full-service carrier. The cabin crew association has also sent a letter to Air India Chief Campbell Wilson, asking him to “not violate” the current status quo and to honor the Industrial Tribunal’s authority and the ongoing industrial dispute related to the matter. They have requested hotel accommodations and conditions that align with the policy for pilots, as established in earlier agreements and tribunal rulings.

 

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