Jakarta – The management of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has asked the airline's pilots to return to the negotiation table after the latter renewed their threat to strike following disappointing results of earlier talks.
"Technically, we are in the process of negotiating. Management is urging the pilots to consider public interest, so we hope to the plan to strike is not realized," Garuda corporate secretary Hengki Heriandono said in Jakarta on Tuesday as reported by kompas.com.
Earlier on Tuesday, Garuda Pilot Association (APG) chairman Bintang Hardiono said the association was preparing to go on strike because the pilots were dissatisfied with the mediation, which had been facilitated by Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan.
Meanwhile, Luhut said he was no longer involved in the negotiations between the pilots and the management of the airline. He said further negotiations would be mediated by State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno.
He explained that he had completed his tasks, while a number of issues, including a change to the airline's board of directors, must be overseen by Minister Rini. "Let Minister Rini complete the negotiations," he added.
Previously, the APG had called for the restructuring of the airline's board of directors. (bbn)