Originally Posted by
Mister Geezer
IMHO it will be a battle of if the unions or the company has the slicker
PR machine. Media outlets thrive on controversy and speculation and there is plenty of fuel to add to that fire if it's suggested that BA is exploiting a global health pandemic to slay staff numbers and drive though over zealous detrimental changes to terms and conditions. Changes that are far from proportional to the crisis at hand.
No company likes copious amounts of bad press and especially so in demanding times at these. Jo Public is none the wiser and just thinks that BA is making 12,000 staff redundant, to ensure survival. Now is the time to enlighten your loyal customers and the wider public of the reality at hand and ensure that the media hold your management to account.
The trouble is that the wider public will be indifferent. Why do I say this? Because the focus will remain on the virus, the NHS, the death toll, the R number, the NHS, the changes to lockdown restrictions, the second wave, the vaccine, key workers, the NHS, the NHS, the NHS, etc., and everyone’s OWN job. The whole economy is in crisis, not just aviation, and bankruptcies and mass job losses will cut through swathes of businesses up and down the country. The travel sector will be just one part of the whole slump.
Flying has become a commodity product. For most travellers cheapest fare wins. By trying to take on ‘budget’ airlines, BA has shot itself in the foot by lowering service standards to their level, so that there is no point of differentiation other than price, certainly on short haul. Business travellers will stay away post-lockdown as corporate health and safety do risk assessment on business travel and advise against travel.
So, what BA does will be just another story of job loses...