TATA'S RUNWAY SUCCESS
Outlook Business|June 2023
THE PILOTS' UNIONS AT AIR INDIA THAT ONCE STRUCK FEAR IN THE HEART OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AIRLINE'S POTENTIAL SUITORS HAVE BEEN GROUNDED. IT WAS A BLOODLESS COUP. HOW DID THE TATAS PULL THIS OFF?
ABDUL HALEEM SHERIF
TATA'S RUNWAY SUCCESS

IN 2012, THE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED AIR INDIA WAS DOWN ON its knees as the bulk of the Maharaja's international fleet was grounded for 58 days as the Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG), a trade union of the airline pilots, struck work. Air India was estimated to have lost Rs 600 crore in revenue in this period, leading to the management sacking 101 of more than 420 pilots associated with the union. But within a year, all pilots, except 13, were reinstated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Eleven years later, in April 2023, the Air India management-now part of the Tata Group-faced another threat of industrial unrest. Fireworks were expected when around 1,300 pilots, belonging to the IPG and the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA), its other union of pilots, announced that they would go to any extent to oppose the management's proposal to implement revised terms of compensation.

The world watched how the Tata Group-known for its harmonious relations with unions in different companies stood up to the challenge posed by the strongest and among the last surviving unions in the country.

Having taken over a company that had incurred accumulated losses of Rs 77,953 crore by the end of 202021, this new contract was a necessary step so the Tatas claimed-to bring a uniform culture among all airlines under the group's aviation portfolio. The showdown was expected. Passengers were jittery about booking Air India flights, and industry watchers from across the globe were excited to see the Tata playbook of dealing with an elite group of workers who knew about their rights and were not afraid of facing the axe to defeat the iron hand of capitalism.

But, in less than a month, even before the two unions could plan their moves in the game, the Air India management checkmated them, writing the obituary of a Nehruvian era's legacy that once invoked fear in the heart of industrialists in India.

Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Outlook Business.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Outlook Business.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA OUTLOOK BUSINESSSe alt
The New Imperialism
Outlook Business

The New Imperialism

The EU has approved a new environmental regulation that will impact global value chains. Small businesses will have to bear the brunt

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
VISION FOR THE INDIA OF 2047
Outlook Business

VISION FOR THE INDIA OF 2047

In India@100, Krishnamurthy Subramanian argues that India can be a 55trn economy by 2047 if it doubles down on the economic policies implemented in the last decade to grow at 8% annually. Although middle-income trap has plagued many developing countries in the past, he is convinced that India is well-equipped to avoid obstacles in its growth odyssey

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
BUSINESS MINT: CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE, ONE AWARD AT A TIME
Outlook Business

BUSINESS MINT: CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE, ONE AWARD AT A TIME

Ensuring that Firms and Entrepreneurs Receive the Recognition they Deserve since 2018

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2024
DR. PAVANI KADIYALA: DRIVING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN EMERGING INDUSTRIES
Outlook Business

DR. PAVANI KADIYALA: DRIVING INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN EMERGING INDUSTRIES

Celebrating Dr. Pavani Kadiyala's Accolades and Contributions to Emerging Technologies

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
INSPIRING EXCELLENCE: THE JOURNEY OF NALANDA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:
Outlook Business

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE: THE JOURNEY OF NALANDA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS:

Honoring the Vision of Sri Manthena Suryanarayana Raju Through Innovation and Holistic Development

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
THE RISE OF VARUN REALTORS
Outlook Business

THE RISE OF VARUN REALTORS

Leading the Charge: Varun Kaliga Named Emerging Real Estate Influencer of the Year for Innovative Impact

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
R.C. RATUL: BRIDGING THE WORLDS OF ENTERTAINMENT AND REAL ESTATE
Outlook Business

R.C. RATUL: BRIDGING THE WORLDS OF ENTERTAINMENT AND REAL ESTATE

The Visionary Behind the Convergence of Entertainment and Real Estate

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
CYBERABAD BUILDERS ASSOCIATION: LEADING THE CHARGE IN SHAPING
Outlook Business

CYBERABAD BUILDERS ASSOCIATION: LEADING THE CHARGE IN SHAPING

Recognized as the Emerging Builders Association of the Year 2024,’ CBA is setting new benchmarks in real estate and construction excellence in the heart of Hyderabad.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
FROM PAPERBOY TO POWERHOUSE: THE INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY OF VENU KALYAN
Outlook Business

FROM PAPERBOY TO POWERHOUSE: THE INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY OF VENU KALYAN

Celebrated with the Most Admired Real Estate Sales Coach of the Year 2024’ Award for Transformative Impact and Innovative Coaching

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
OUTLINE MEDIA: SHAPING TOMORROW'S BRANDING AND ADVERTISING TODAY
Outlook Business

OUTLINE MEDIA: SHAPING TOMORROW'S BRANDING AND ADVERTISING TODAY

Redefining Branding and Advertising

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024