British Airways Future is Bleak
Thursday, December 17th, 2009On the 12th Day of Christmas my True Love said to me…
It is a sad day for the British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh, the beginning of the end, even with a ruling in British
Airways favor.
The Christmas strike is likely to be averted next Tuesday, but chaos will still ensue.
It is likely that only 50 percent of the British Airways employees will show up for work and there will be much dragging of heels. Scheduled flights will experience long delays and there will be unexpected cancellations.
If you’re still brave enough to travel, go with hand baggage! There will be last minute unofficial strike action. Ground staff will be hiding out, nagging and complaining over a KitKat and a cup of tea, while families with young children wait for several hours for their luggage.
Unfortuantely, Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson of the Unite Union will contribute to the demise of British Airways. What
has been a difficult 2009 for BA, will lead to a catastrophic 2010. This calculated fight for a BA workers Christmas strike will result in those employees eventually being out of a job. Ironically, some of those BA workers will secretly wish for a job at Virgin Airways, even if it means being paid 50% less.
If only Tony and Derek understood that Willie Walsh’s plans for 2010 are not to take advantage of BA workers but to save the company from collapse.
Strike or no strike, the damage is already done and millions of travelers will forego British Airways for a different airline.
The only way for British Airways to survive long term will be bailout money from the British government much like the U.S. bailed out GM.
