Cabin crew union oppose Air India's hotel room sharing policy

New Delhi: With debt-ridden national carrier Air India recently implementing cost-cutting policies, as air hostesses are now required to share hotel rooms, cabin crew union have come out strongly in opposition of the move.

Officials of the Air India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) met with officials of Air India Employees Union (AIEU) and Air Corporation Employees Union (ACEU) on Thursday to hold discussions on the issue.

A statement from the AICCA said that all three unions were on the same page as far as opposing the 'draconian' move was concerned, with each one of them ready to take steps to protect their rights.

"We have already placed our objections in writing to the Management and have also met with our solicitors to evaluate our options, especially since the S9 matter is sub judice before the Apex Court," the statement read.

Air India recently issued an order for cabin crew were recruited from 2017 onwards specifying that the airlines will provide 3 or 4-star hotel accommodation 'as far as possible' with the added condition that the booking being on a twin sharing basis. The airlines have kept gender sensitivity in mind, and female crew members will not have to share rooms with their male counterparts.

AI has about 3,000 cabin crew, of which 1,400 are permanent employees when the rest are on contract.