Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, many people have been fearing for their job due to the decreases in income and wages to help battle the virus. For more than a week now, British Airways has been discussing with the Unite Union about whether or not they will be forced to let off several employees.

For a while now, it has been claimed that the British Airways will be suspending at least 36,000 staff members in light of the Coronavirus. Based on the negotiations that have been going on with Unite Union, they have almost come to an agreement that up to 80% of British Airway’s cabin crew, Engineers, and Ground staff will have to be suspended.

This decision will be affecting the entire staff at London City Airport as well as Gatwik until the pandemic crisis is over. This will lead to thousands of people losing a lot of money creating yet another crisis within their homes. Most of the employees have large families to fend for as well as take care of, what will they do now?

Well, on the bright side, those who will be affected are to receive certain wages through the governments coronavirus job retention fund. This will be covering around 80% of an individual’s salary, leaving them with maximum £2,500 per month.

The employees aren’t too surprised with British Airway’s decisions. They wholeheartedly understand that since all flights are on a halt and all planes are situated on the ground, there is absolutely no need for all these employees since there will be absolutely no work for them to do.

British Airway has not yet asked help from the government, but so far Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor claims that all financial revenues should be exhausted before turning to the taxpayer.

Independent Aviation Analyst, John Strickland, states that these are tough negotiations between the Unite Union and British Airways, but so far, a decision has not been taken. We hope that when they come to a decision that people will be compensated for such and that they won’t have to be living on the streets.