PATNA: Around 60 members of Joint Forum of Unions and Associations (JFUA) of the Airports Authority of India (AAI)-Patna joined the nationwide strike called by AAI Employees’ Union (AAIEU) on Wednesday in protest against the privatisation of six airports in the country.
The daily operations and flight movement at Patna airport, however, remained unaffected. The employees sat on dharna on rotational basis without affecting the daily flight operations.
JFUA-AAI, Patna convener Aklesh Kumar Singh said, “Privatization is never in the interest of the employees and the country. So, we have opposed it and will continue to do so till the government relents. At a time when the aviation sector is struggling, efforts should have been made to improve the situation through existing agencies rather than inviting private players.”
Singh said they will ensure that their agitation remains peaceful. “Our protest will not cause any inconvenience to the passengers or hamper the airport’s functioning,” he said.
The AAIEU wrote to the AAI chairman about the strike, drawing his attention to the concern of employees regarding uncertain future following the privatisation of airports.