Lord Marshall rebuked by former BA worker
Carrier’s ageism policy is anti-social and demeaning, chairman is told
British Airways is in the dock over its ageism policy after a former employee and shareholder stood up at the carrier’s annual general meeting to speak out against compulsory retirement.
According to reports in many of today’s newspapers, 55-year-old Deana-Maria Williams was given a rousing reception after she told BA chairman Lord Marshall (aged 69) that it was “anti-social and demeaning” to be compulsorily retired.
She continued: “Considering the adverse effect that current cabin crew shortages are having on our passengers – not to mention our finances – surely it is time for BA To immediately move its retirement practices for all staff, and not just the current chairman, into the 21st century.”
Mrs Williams and 300 other staff are planning to test the BA ruling in a tribunal likely to be heard in January. She told the Daily Mail after the meeting: “I cannot understand why they are throwing so many experienced people on the scrap heap.”
Lord Marshall has previously stated that the carrier will consider raising the current retirement age when new EU laws controlling discrimination come into effect in 2006.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers