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Monarch pilots had to call premium rate number for redundancy news
Monarch pilots, who were forced to pay almost £40 each to find out they’d been made redundant following the airline’s collapse, have been reimbursed following pressure by union BALPA.
Pilots were asked to join a telephone conference if they couldn’t make it in person to meetings to learn of the airline’s demise.
The telephone number they were given in an email was a premium rate 0844 number.
BALPA claims the call lasted over an hour and some pilots claim it cost them almost £40.
It put pressure on Monarch adminstrators KPMG to pay back the money, and KPMG quickly agreed.
"We are pleased to see that as a result of BALPA’s pressure, KPMG has agreed to reimburse Monarch staff who lost money on the call to hear about their redundancy," said BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton.
"This is a small mercy in troubled times and we’re glad that common sense has prevailed."
He had earlier described the premium rate as ‘unbelievably cold-hearted’ and a ‘kick in the teeth when they are already down’.
"Since Monday we’ve seen appalling treatment of Monarch staff. Not only were they given no warning of this situation but some had to shell out their own cash to be told they’ve lost their job," he said.
Unite has also started legal proceedings against Monarch for redundancy pay for its 1,800 airline members, which it expects to be paid by the government.
BALPA said it had lined up potential job opportunities with 22 different airlines for Monarch pilots and it has arranged a ‘Flight Crew Futures’ event to take place on October 17 at Gatwick.
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Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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