Dan72

Thoughts with all those at BA (and IAG) at a very difficult time. I hope the approach that BA/IAG take is as far as possible voluntary.

lcylocal

The UK should be pushing around data standards, particularly around the contact tracing app - UK companies have experience in this area. I think an effective passport may be an electronic file showing lack of contact with others plus test results, that can be shared with destination country authorities. It won't be fail safe but would show the traveller is low risk.

southlondonphil

The Canarian Regional Government has expressed the preference for a phased reopening of business for domestic (i.e. Islands) residents initially, then allowing visitors from the Spanish mainland, and finally opening for foreign visitors no earlier than October

paulaf

The contact tracing app is going to be launched mid May Hancock said today. There was a meeting of EU tourism ministers yesterday to agree a way forward and agree standards but the UK were not invited.

Can I help you

I would be interested in your thinking?
Personally I am going to wait and see and not listen to gossip.

Agent69

Commiserations to all who might be affected in these difficult times.

However, you do have to wonder what planet Balpa are on, saying they are going to fight every single job cut.

Jambon87

It is a bit presumptuous to assume the highest paid will be the first to go.

These are trying time’s and they may look at VR in the first instance to achieve some of this before going for compulsory. Working in hospitality sector and currently furloughed, I understand how much of a worrying time this is. I hope the BA show some compassion in this process.

crazy8534

One wonders how many of those now facing redundancy will have shared in the outstanding financial performance of the airline over the past few years?

Not as many as you might hope, I’d hazard.

krispy84

Copied from the BBC News app:

Balpa's general secretary Brian Strutton said: "This has come as a bolt out of the blue from an airline that said it was wealthy enough to weather the Covid storm and declined any government support.
"Balpa does not accept that a case has been made for these job losses and we will be fighting to save every single one."

This just comes across as bluster.

cauchy

It's simply me assuming the highest paid are most at risk. Not the most sophisticated reasoning I accept.

And let me add, it would be an terrible way to treat loyal staff, many of whom must have decades of service. Commiserations to all affected.

NWIFlyer

Folks, whilst this is important news, when posting please bear in mind:

- any commentary on entry requirements for other countries as a result of COVID-19 should only relate to the direct effect on BA and implications for how that might affect the number of redundancies. Opinions about the government’s handling of the pandemic are off-topic for this forum and will be subject to deletion.

- we benefit greatly from the wisdom and experience of a great number of both former and, particularly in this situation, current BA employees. They will be facing a difficult and uncertain period until things become clearer. Please consider their sensitivities when posting and try to avoid over-speculating on areas which may or may not be affected.

Thank you for your assistance.

/mod

T8191

OTOH, my acceptance of Voluntary Redundancy from the RAF, after 29 years, was accepted without demur. Numbers were being reduced quite dramatically, and with only 5 years left to serve my departure would (a) remove an expensive, top pay rate, individual, and (b) create upward mobility for those whose promotion I had been blocking. The redundancy package was agreeable and financially viable, and my last day at work was a few weeks before my 50th birthday.

I could suggest that not everyone wants to grind on into the sunset, and that many would be content to call it a day ... ‘if the price is right’.

BAeuro

I am just in shock at how BA is in such a bad position, especially compared to the other IAG members. They’ve had record profits over the last few years and although this situation is bad, surely they should be able to cope with it?

I imagine they will offer voluntary redundancies first, making the actual number who unwillingly lose their job smaller. But I do think BA will focus on those with the ‘old’ contracts, in order to reduce costs. If they do lose their jobs though they will be snapped up quickly as they’re great and an asset!

The word ‘restructuring’ also sounds like they’re really going to overhaul the management and operations. Will they turn to even more leisure routes to offset the reduction in business demand?

Oaxaca

Suspect IAG doesn’t have much choice, when entering consultation like this as a UK employer, you have to inform the RPS (govt) and I guess it’s material enough to require a release to the stock market. Don’t have direct knowledge of what IAG is doing in Spain, but wouldn’t be at all surprised if IB/VY were using the force-majeure ERTE scheme under the state of alarm (rough equivalent to the UK job retention scheme, though works differently). Dismissing staff falling under this scheme is legally risky in Spain (though in fairness the law isn't exactly recently tested in this area and IANAL), and in any case the law works differently there. Once the state of alarm finishes, sadly it would not be surprising to hear similar news out of Spain.


The use of “may” and “up to xxx” is pretty standard language when entering redundancy consultation, legally you can’t be seen to pre-ordain the outcome of the consultation process. Very sadly, unless something remarkable happens economically during the consultation, these numbers will likely be closer to the reality than anyone would want. Grim days indeed.

Hawk777

Horrible news but not unexpected. Feel for everyone that's going to be impacted. Personally if my departments impacted which it more than likely will be im at a time of life and a financial position where I would volunteer to go to save someone who really needs the job being one of the unfortunate ones