The planned strike by the Indian Commercial Pilots Assn., the union representing 800 Air India pilots who were Indian Airlines pilots prior to the 2007 merger, has been deferred for four weeks as talks begin with the labor commissioner.

An independent committee, headed by a retired judge, has been set up to look at pay parity and other issues among the former Indian Airlines and Air India staff. The unions had agreed to abide by the recommendations of this committee. It will submit a report in five months.