British Airways has threatened its pilots union that it would dismiss all of it's 4,300 pilots and rehire them on individual contracts.
British Airways pilot's union British Airline Pilot Association (BALPA) has been in continuous talk with the carrier over the number of pilots it employs.
The airline is in talks with unions over a controversial 12,000 job cuts, as it is experiencing one of the worst period in its long history due to the impact of the corona virus pandemic.
However, the London-based carrier said no final decision had been made and it was acting now to protect as many jobs as possible.
A British Airways spokesperson said that legal consultation is due to cease on July 18th, although no final decision has been made. British Airways has a strong workforce of 48,000 employees.
The carrier has been negotiating a planned reduction of 1,130 pilots represented by Balpa, and has also sought to dismiss an additional 125 pilots, the union said.
Brian Strutton, the general secretary of the union said in an email:
"This has seriously undermined our talks, which now hang by a thread. It calls into a question whether BA is even capable of conducting industrial relations properly and whether anything they say can be trusted."
BA's pilot's union BALPA criticized the airline for not being able to handle it's current situation.
"I'm appalled at the cavalier attitude shown by BA towards the Balpa reps and to its pilots. This has seriously undermined our talks," BALPA's secretary added.
However, in a statement British Airways said that it was only acting to save more jobs saying:
"We are acting now to protect as many jobs as possible. The airline industry is facing the deepest structural change in its history, as well as facing a severely weakened global economy."
"We call on Unite and GMB to consult with us on our proposals as our pilot union, BALPA, is doing. Working together we can protect more jobs as we prepare for a new future."
The UK will begin quarantining all travelers who enter for 14 days from today (8th June) itself. However, airlines are protesting against this new rule and also have appealed the government's decision.
Regarding the quarantine rule, a government spokesperson said, "As we get the virus under control here, we must manage the risk of cases being imported from abroad."
"We recognise it is a difficult time for the travel industry, and the government continues to work with industry partners to ensure these measures remain effective and necessary."
The spokesperson also said that, "These measures are informed by science, backed by the public and will keep us all safe."
British Airways' parent IAG SA wrote to Procurator General Sir Jonathan Jones, the government's most senior legal officer, to start a process to block the measure,which could lead to a lawsuit.
The letter was also signed by discount carriers Ryanair Holdings Plc and EasyJet Plc, criticizing the government's quarantine rule.
These carriers also pointed to how this new rule would apply to travelers from countries with lower infection rates than the U.K.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told reporter that the government wants to work with the industry as the country moves through the pandemic.
This new quarantine measures would affect BA's plans to resume about 40% flights in July, and would also force the carrier to continue burning 20 million pounds ($25 million) a day.
Do you think the new quarantine rule imposed by the U.K. government is good? When do you think aviation will return to it's previous state? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below:
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| British Airways Threatens To Fire All Pilots Photo: British Airways |
British Airways pilot's union British Airline Pilot Association (BALPA) has been in continuous talk with the carrier over the number of pilots it employs.
The airline is in talks with unions over a controversial 12,000 job cuts, as it is experiencing one of the worst period in its long history due to the impact of the corona virus pandemic.
However, the London-based carrier said no final decision had been made and it was acting now to protect as many jobs as possible.
 |
| BA has a strong workforce of 48,000 employees. Photo: British Airways |
A British Airways spokesperson said that legal consultation is due to cease on July 18th, although no final decision has been made. British Airways has a strong workforce of 48,000 employees.
The carrier has been negotiating a planned reduction of 1,130 pilots represented by Balpa, and has also sought to dismiss an additional 125 pilots, the union said.
 |
| Photo: British Airways |
Brian Strutton, the general secretary of the union said in an email:
"This has seriously undermined our talks, which now hang by a thread. It calls into a question whether BA is even capable of conducting industrial relations properly and whether anything they say can be trusted."
BA's pilot's union BALPA criticized the airline for not being able to handle it's current situation.
 |
| BA's pilot's union Balpa criticized the airline. Photo: British Airways |
"I'm appalled at the cavalier attitude shown by BA towards the Balpa reps and to its pilots. This has seriously undermined our talks," BALPA's secretary added.
However, in a statement British Airways said that it was only acting to save more jobs saying:
"We are acting now to protect as many jobs as possible. The airline industry is facing the deepest structural change in its history, as well as facing a severely weakened global economy."
 |
| Photo: British Airways |
"We call on Unite and GMB to consult with us on our proposals as our pilot union, BALPA, is doing. Working together we can protect more jobs as we prepare for a new future."
The UK will begin quarantining all travelers who enter for 14 days from today (8th June) itself. However, airlines are protesting against this new rule and also have appealed the government's decision.
 |
| Quarantine rule in U.K. will be effective from today. Photo: British Airways |
Regarding the quarantine rule, a government spokesperson said, "As we get the virus under control here, we must manage the risk of cases being imported from abroad."
"We recognise it is a difficult time for the travel industry, and the government continues to work with industry partners to ensure these measures remain effective and necessary."
 |
| Photo: British Airways |
The spokesperson also said that, "These measures are informed by science, backed by the public and will keep us all safe."
British Airways' parent IAG SA wrote to Procurator General Sir Jonathan Jones, the government's most senior legal officer, to start a process to block the measure,which could lead to a lawsuit.
The letter was also signed by discount carriers Ryanair Holdings Plc and EasyJet Plc, criticizing the government's quarantine rule.
 |
| Ryanair and Easyjet also signed the letter submitted by BA. Photo: Ryan Air |
These carriers also pointed to how this new rule would apply to travelers from countries with lower infection rates than the U.K.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told reporter that the government wants to work with the industry as the country moves through the pandemic.
 |
| BA is burning 20 million pounds per day. Photo: British Airways |
This new quarantine measures would affect BA's plans to resume about 40% flights in July, and would also force the carrier to continue burning 20 million pounds ($25 million) a day.
Do you think the new quarantine rule imposed by the U.K. government is good? When do you think aviation will return to it's previous state? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below:
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