Merpati employees to strike

The employees and crewmembers of state-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airline are expected to go on strike on Sunday in protest at the planned replacement of the current board of directors.

Action coordinator Capt. Eman Supriatman told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that crewmembers and ground staff would refuse to work on any domestic or international routes until the government cancelled the planned replacement.

"The company has performed well under the current management. The replacement that will be carried out on Monday is only because the directors oppose the government's plan to purchase 40 units of Russia's Sukhoi Superjet 100," Eman said.

Eman said Merpati had been in need of new aircraft and the management preferred to buy Boeing and Airbus planes, while the State-owned Enterprises Minister and the chief commissioner had instructed the management to purchase the Russian Sukhois.

Eman said Merpati employees supported the management's plan to purchase Boeing and Airbus planes, because the management knew best what the company needed.

"We are suspicious of collusion and conspiracy behind the minister's order to purchase the Sukhoi planes."