Flight Global - 71 pilots fired
Just saw the article from Flight Global, which does clarify my question:
The pilots, who were from Indian Airlines, which merged with Air India in 2007, went on strike on 7 May by reporting sick.
India's flag carrier sacked them as they continued to defy a court order, which declared that the strikes were illegal and issued "restraining orders" to the pilots.
As I understand a sick-out campain is illegal industrial action.