BA strike reaction
Tuesday, 15 Dec, 2009
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TravelMole readers have condemned the decision by British Airways cabin crew to stage 12 days of straike action over the peak Christmas and new year travel period.
Reaction to the breaking news from TravelMole yesterday was overwhelmingly against the industrial action which will reportedly cost the airline £10 million day (See separate story for latest strike update and reader responses).
Bob Atkinson, travel expert from travelsupermarket.com, described the cabin crew strike as “double disaster” for BA.
“Its customers are now going to be significantly affected and the airline will take a financial hit from the action,” he said.
“It’s an incredibly sad day for the British Airways brand. It’s 12 years since BA staff members have taken direct action and, whilst they may believe they have a strong case in their disagreement with BA management, the real losers here are the everyday leisure and business customers who will have their Christmas and new year plans disrupted.”
Atkinson added: “The union could have easily opted for a time when fewer passengers are travelling. After all, they are the people who pay for the tickets that ultimately pay the crew’s wages.
“So the action is unlikely to gain sympathy from the public who will just see this as a selfish attack on the people the crews need to keep them in work. Both the union and BA need to be very clear to customers how they are going to be affected.
“Customers who booked before the ballot announcement on 2 November and have insurance to cover for strike action will be able to recover losses from making new bookings.
“However, customers who booked after 2 November, or those with no insurance, will be left high and dry to find new arrangements. They will be refunded for the price of their original ticket by BA and even if BA try to find alternatives for customers availability is already very tight.
“BA still has a cost base that is far too high for it to compete in today’s economy and even after the changes that have been announced recently by the airline, there is still a long way to go to get costs, including those of crew, down to realistic levels. Without addressing these BA has a questionable future.
“Whatever the issues between BA, its staff and their unions, discussions should happen behind closed doors to resolve their issues and allow the Great British travelling public to carry on with their holiday and travel plans.
“All parties must get on with resolving this issue with some urgency ahead of the planned industrial action.”
EasyJet UK General Manager Paul Simmons said: “Don’t take the risk of being disrupted by strike action this festive season.
"For the duration of the disruption, we will offer BA Gold Executive card holders free Speedy Boarding, just show your card at the airport to take advantage of this.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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