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Quarantine

British Airways Faces Backlash Over Job Cuts Amid Quarantine Row

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Commons Transport Select Committee has accused British Airways of making a "calculated attempt to take advantage" of the crisis by cutting up to 12,000 jobs and downgrading the terms and conditions of its remaining employees. The airline's parent company, IAG, is also suing the British government over the quarantine policy, which it claims is overly strict. The row with unions shows no sign of ending, with pressure mounting on the government to intervene.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Commons Transport Select Committee accused British Airways of making a "calculated attempt to take advantage" of the crisis by cutting up to 12,000 jobs and downgrading the terms and conditions of its remaining employees.
  • The airline's parent company, IAG, is suing the British government over the quarantine policy, which it claims is overly strict.
  • The row with unions shows no sign of ending, with pressure mounting on the government to intervene.
  • The Unite union, which represents thousands of aviation workers, called the report an "immediate wake-up call to the government".
  • Merriman, a union representative, will this week ask for a meeting with Rishi Sunak to ask the Chancellor to close the "loophole" in the Government's job retention scheme and force BA to wait until later in the year before proceeding with any redundancy plans.
  • The airlines also called on the United Kingdom government to readopt its earlier quarantine policy introduced on March 10, where the restrictions were limited to passengers from high-risk countries.

Statistics:

  • Up to 12,000 jobs at risk at British Airways due to the crisis.
  • 14-day quarantine rule for global arrivals will have a "devastating effect on British tourism and the wider economy", according to the airlines.
  • Nearly half of takeoff and landing slots at Heathrow are occupied by British Airways.

Sources:

  • [Commons Transport Select Committee report]
  • BBC News: "British Airways: MPs accuse airline of 'calculated attempt to take advantage' of crisis"
  • The Guardian: "British Airways job cuts: union calls for intervention from government"
  • ITV News: "British Airways to sue government over Covid-19 quarantine policy"

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