You are right, they aren't, they used to be, but not anymore. Presently they stand at 12 days per year, however that number includes such things as maternity leave
BA are not being entirely truthfull about the measure of sickdays. This does'nt in any way excuse the levels of sickness in times gone by, it is however indicative of the disconnect between managers who are as useful as chocolate teapots, and a small % of CC who take the p*ss.