I am shocked that "The Times" has exaggerated the facts!
British Airways has asked for volunteers who might be prepared to work for a week without pay. (A volunteer, you may remember, is worth ten pressed men!)
Now, before you ridicule the idea, someone like me, a Customer Services guy bumping along the bottom of God's Pay SCale, couldn't afford to give up even an hour's pay! However, if a carrot was offered during the busy summer months, I might be prepared to work 37 hours without pay if some little benefit in kind was offered.
Now, as far as BA management are concerned, they are wanting to gauge how much interest there would be if some sort of "subject to space available" staff travel benefit was offered as a payment in kind. If I could take Mrs Bealine away for an extra break in the dreary winter months, I would willingly volunteer!
..............so, you see, things aren't exactly what they seem!
I must say, from an employee's point of view, British Airways - the company - has always treated me very fairly, and I see no reason why they wouldn't treat me fairly in the future. There are one or two rogue managers there for sure, but the company means well and is still one of the best UK employers - and I still derive a good deal of job satisfaction!