Recent BA's restructuring programme and actions have been described as betrayal and disgrace. The national flag carrier has in recent times cut thousands of jobs and wages, citing the impact of COVID-19 on travel business as a reason for the decision.
Condemning British Airways' action is Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who said BA's action is intentional but using COVID-19 as a cover-up. saying, "BA’s treatment of its workers is a betrayal of everything the company has stood for over the years as the national flag carrier".
"Using COVID as a cover-up for its long-held aim of cutting jobs, wages & conditions is a disgrace. Just as bad the Government has stood on one side and let it."
A spokesperson from British Airways says "Our half-year results, published last week, clearly show the enormous financial impact of Covid-19 on our business. We are having to make difficult decisions and take every possible action now to protect as many jobs as possible.
"And, while we never could have anticipated being in a position of making redundancies, more than 6,000 of our colleagues have now indicated that they wish to take voluntary redundancy from BA."
In April, BA's owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), warned it could cut up to 12,000 jobs as it struggles through the impact of coronavirus pandemic.
The airline said 6,000 staff have opted for voluntary redundancy since the window opened. It was forced to re-shape its business to survive and is currently burning £20million a day.
The airline says by acting now, it is protecting as many jobs as it can. Adding that it was using a lawful selection process to decide who would stay, who would be asked to re-sign a new contract, and who would be asked to leave.
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