Flight attendants of SriLankan Airlines will wear white arm bands from tomorrow as part of their campaign to win outstanding demands.Flight Attendants Union (FAU) President Adrian Cramer said yesterday they were resorting to this action since the management had failed to meet several grievances of the cabin staff.
He said directives from the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Manoj Gunawardene had been openly flouted by the subordinate management and that the airline had not acted honourably despite earlier assurances.
Mr. Cramer said the demands were just and fair and the management must meet them without further delay. The white-band move would be followed by further action and he did not rule out a strike at a later date.
“At present we will not disturb the operations and cause inconvenience to passengers. But there will be a re-think later on if the management continues to ignore the demands,” Mr. Cramer said.
Among the demands is the removal of the ‘rigid’ rule where staff on contract are not allowed to get married.
Among the other demands were the immediate halt to the recruitment of staff on a contract basis and an end to intimidation of flight attendants by the subordinate management, he said.
Meanwhile SriLankan Airlines has regretted the decision taken by the FAU at a time the country is depending on the national carrier to bring in better times and help in the growth of the country’s economy.
The decision is especially regrettable as it may seriously affect the airline’s operations while collective bargaining talks are taking place between the company and the FAU, the airline said in a statement.
The airline said it would take every step to minimize inconvenience to passengers, and urged the FAU to re-consider its unfortunate decision, and commit itself to further discussions with the company.
|
E-mail
