Pakistan airline strike disrupts flights for second day

Pakistan airline strike disrupts flights for second day

2011-02-10 01:09:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

KARACHI (BNO NEWS) -- Staff at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continued on strike for the second day, disrupting flight operations after refusing to perform onboard duties and blocking entrances of major airports, GEO TV reported.

Both national and international flight schedules were badly affected after employees of the national flag carrier went on a strike Tuesday. Hundreds of PIA employees were sitting at airports in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad, which experienced significant disruption.

Employees are protesting a route-sharing agreement with the Turkish Airlines and demanding the resignation of Managing Director Aijaz Haroon, who sent home eight pilots on charges of misconduct.

"It was a decision of the management to take care of troublemakers," said Aijaz Haroon.

"We have every right to lay off people who are not performing their jobs," he added.

Scuffles broke out between the workers associated with rival unions Tuesday, which stand apart on the question of demanding the resignation of Haroon.

The airline is currently trying to bolster revenues through the agreement with the Turkish Airlines

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