Jet2 boss under fire for “lazy frogs” jibe
Jet2 chairman and chief executive Philip Meeson has been condemned for branding the French as “lazy frogs” following strikes which disrupted services to Paris.
In an attack on its website, the lost cost carrier said it was “appalled and tired” of the industrial action and called on “lazy frogs to get back to work.”
The row emerged after air traffic controllers and students took action over new employment rules – which make it easier for companies to sack young workers.
French union CGT and UK MPs attacked the comments as unacceptable.
On the website, Meeson said thousands of travellers are cursing the air traffic controllers for ruining their holiday.
Addressing the workers, Meeson said: “You choose to do the job you do and it’s appalling that you are taking advantage of your dominant position by neglecting the responsibility you have to your customers. Yes, that’s right, holidaymakers pay your wages.
“After a token stoppage why don’t you just sort the matter out amicably without bringing thousands of people around the world in to the argument.
“We are appalled and quite frankly tired of air traffic controllers old fashioned attitude to dealing with any issues they may have.”
A spokesman for the CGT union was quoted as saying: “It is easy for them to ask people to go back to work but if people in France do not agree with the government it is a very good reason to strike.”
He added Meeson’s language was “unacceptable.”
MPs also waded into the controversy with Labour MEP Robert Evans branding the frog jibe as “cheap and derogatory.”
“[The] remarks are beneath even a budget airline,” he said. “We have really got to be more mature in our relationships.”
Meeson later claimed the remarks were tongue in cheek.
Report by Steve Jones
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