The reason for Air India's pilots actions can be understood with a little background information.  Back in 2007 Air India merged with Indian Airlines combining domestic and international operations. Although the companies have merged the pilot groups remain separate. 

Being one of the first customers to receive the Boeing B787 Dreamliner, AI has decided that it will only be flown by pilots from the Indian Airlines group, determining that Air India pilots will not get the opportunity to fly this aircraft type. With this particular aircraft believed to be the plane of the future, AI pilots believe that their long term job security is being jeopardized with this decision and is using industrial action as their claim has been rejected by the apex court.

Following is an excerpt from an Economic Times article. Click here to read the full story : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/pilots-strike-government-threatens-to-shut-air-india-international-flights/articleshow/13045136.cms

NEW DELHI: Erstwhile Air India pilots are threatening to strike work but the government may not be ready to play ball this time. The pilots threatened to go on strike from Monday night, minutes after their talks with the airline management and aviation ministry failed on the issue of training for the Boeing-787 Dreamliner. The ministry, toughening its stand, has warned that it will shut international flights of the airline if the strike snowballs and will take strict action against the agitating pilots. Sources in the 500-strong AI pilots’ union, Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG), said about 100 pilots had reported sick by 9pm on Monday and the number may swell to 250 by Tuesday.