Air India pilots call off strike after five days

NEW DELHI — Pilots at the ailing state-run carrier Air India ended a five-day strike on Wednesday, saying the government had provided assurances that their salaries would not be cut.

Senior pilots' representative V.K. Bhalla told reporters in New Delhi the stoppage was "immediately and absolutely called off" and that they would return to work at once.

"We've been given all commitments that there will be no reduction of salaries," Bhalla said. "We're in complete cooperation with the management."

The surprise announcement came after Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said late Tuesday that management had vowed "it will do cost-cutting measures only in consultation with employees."

The airline has cancelled hundreds of flights since Saturday when non-unionised senior pilots called in sick to protest against a slash of between 25 to 50 percent in incentive-based pay for more than 7,000 employees.

The struggling airline has attempted to impose cost cuts after posting a one billion dollar loss in the last financial year. Link...