“All we want to do is make sure people have a pleasant journey and a smile, but we’re feeling totally undervalued and demotivated,” says one BA staffer. The cabin crew member, who asked not to be named, said they first heard that 36,000 staff would be suspended on TV.

They said that staff were yet to hear any further details of BA’s plans. The airline, which grounded much of its fleet due to the coronavirus crisis, has been negotiating with the Unite union for more than a week. The two sides have reached a broad deal but are yet to agree on some details.

“We have no idea on who they’re going to be keeping on or where they’re going to be flying. And most importantly, how we’re going to be treated when we come back,” the staff member said. The decision will affect all staff at Gatwick and London City Airport after the airline suspended its operations at both locations until the crisis is over.

Those affected are expected to receive some of their wages through the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme, which covers 80% of someone’s salary capped at a maximum of £2,500 a month.(BBC)…[+]