A former XL employee
I sent this to the BBC on Sunday, they responded by asking me for an interview which I declined. As the BBC failed to publish it I thought I would paste my letter on here.
"As a former XL employee I am appalled at some passengers lack of thought
for those of us who lost not only our jobs but possibly our homes and
our lives as we know them.
As passengers you will have been inconvenienced and many have had their
one and only holiday this year ruined, but when they do get home, which
they will eventually by the good will of other airlines they come home
to life as normal!
I am even more appalled at the media coverage highlighting this.
When the British car manufactures, Rover collapsed and put thousands of
people out of work the media focused on them and how their lives were
effected, there was little mention of the thousands of Rover owners who
would possibly be inconvenienced.
I am saddened by the lack of thought and lack of British spirit. XL
employed some fabulous people who put their heart and soul into their
jobs so the British public could have amazing holidays.
We found out just like the passengers, through media coverage, I am yet
to receive anything from my former company, we are all owed money having
worked half of September and many of us receive part of our salary a
month in arrears. There is no money left in the pot for us, we will
never see what WE worked hard for and there will be no redundancy pay
outs.
A little bit of recognition would be greatly received, we are not the
bad guys we are the victims in all of this."
Best of luck to all my former colleagues and a thank you for all the kind thoughts!