UL flight attendants threaten grounding

Members of the SriLankan Airlines flight attendants Union (FAU) have issued a warning of industrial action to the management, if a better deal is not forthcoming in the ongoing collective bargaining talks.

FAU sources said that the 14-day notice was issued on Friday (15), meaning the SriLankan management is left with just 10 days to act or face embarrassment, as well as financial loss due to striking in-flight staff.

The FAU is not satisfied with the progress of the ongoing talks for a new round of collective bargaining. Hence, the notice of industrial action.

It is also learnt that FAU is keen to ensure that a better deal is signed and sealed before Emirates hands over the management of the national carrier to the government on March 31, 2008. There is some skepticism within the FAU leadership that under government management, chances to negotiate a better deal were slim.

Meanwhile, eyebrows are being raised within SriLankan Airlines management and staff over the presence of former Head of Marketing of Sri Lanka Telecom, Kapila Chandrasekera, at key meetings, along with government-appointed Consultant Lalith de Silva, who himself is a specialist at Telecom.

Insiders said that staff is confused over the presence of Chandrasekara at meetings, without prior intimation of his role, though he is a top professional. De Silva has been entrusted by the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration to ensure a smooth transition of SriLankan Airlines from Emirates management to the Government.