Of course it was Shell but.......
As one of the contributors to the Chirp article and the SNS FSO for the operator concerned I can confirm it was Shell - but I think we all knew that - which was partly the idea.
News of the sacking came from the passengers, not the management.
Then followed months of speculation and uncertainty.
Much store was held with there being no 'Class 1' HOMP incidents (who do you think sets the criteria?) - it was a blessing that the EC155 told you when your gear was still up. It doesn't tell you when you are flying in the opposite direction or if you join circuit of an 'international' airport on the wrong frequency, or if you can't remember what had just happened during the previous 10nm.
Pilots did 'ground' themselves but many continued out of insecurity and fear.
But ......... the biggest concern was the unwillingness of both employers to follow current employment practice/assurances and to take responsibility of the employees whom had committed to the contract.
TUPE proved to be absolutely toothless.
However, Parliament thinks it works as my MP told me that whenever the cleaning contract changes in Westminster, the cleaners simply change uniform and might have to use a different brush.......