There can be little doubt that the vast majority of British Airways staff are a keen, enthusiastic lot, just like any workers happy to grumble between themselves and their associates, but stoic in their outlook and a real credit to their employer. Working for an airline can be stressful but it can also be great fun. Although some would argue otherwise the pay is not bad either. The perks available to staff in a company that covers the whole wide world are a great deal more than say an office worker in the Midlands.
Then why the problems that now seem a regular summer holiday period occurrence?
Is it a 21st century version of the Union battles of the past, strident left wingers attempting to demonstrate that they have real muscle and are the true workers” leaders, fighting a management steeped in the past, who lack the character to deal with a problem that most industries forgot about at least a decade ago? Or is it just plain mismanagement?
For two years running something seems to have gone completely wrong with Britain”s flagship airline at the peak time for travel. In 2003 BA took the much criticised decision to close the airline for two days when it lost control of its Heathrow ground staff and in 2004, also highly debated, the airline has effectively legalised uncontrolled sick leave. In some companies staff returning from illness are interviewed. The employers” argument is that they are trying to help and assist in a restoration to full health. For the employees it is an indication that they are not trusted. Even without a strike there has been cancellations and delays due to what the airline calls staff shortages. The Unions will claim that BA”s relentless drive to reduce numbers is making the airline impossible to operate. BA says that absenteeism is nearly twice the national average.
So where do we go from here? What went on last week is not to the credit of the airline, nor its staff, or indeed the country. From last year lessons should have been learnt and maybe heads rolled. 2003 could have been construed as an accident, whilst 2004 was an accident waiting to happen. A third occurrence next year would be very unlucky with dire consequences. The world outside the UK does not view these things with magnanimity. Fine airline as it is, its esteem has gone down. A belated last minute attempt by senior management to charm a few people by appearing at Heathrow will not make much difference. BA needs to be pro-active, not reactive. BA is a gold medal winner and like Britain”s latest champion needs to dig deep and come back from what is without doubt a serious injury. Does anyone remember Pan Am? Perhaps only its former staff.