WIDESPREAD uncertainty and confusion is spreading in the
travel industry as it battles to take stock following the outbreak of war in
Afghanistan.
As fears grow of longer-term military action, Thomas Cook
has given its 16,000-strong UK workforce the option of taking voluntary
redundancy, unpaid leave or reducing their hours in a bid to cut costs.
A memo from chief executive Alan Stewart has given has given
staff until the end of the month to respond. The group, which would not put a
figure on how many staff it hoped to shed, warned compulsory cutbacks will be
worse if the response is poor.
The operator admitted it is also considering freezing
salaries and opening up extended career breaks.
The move is the latest bombshell to hit the UK trade.
Operators are being forced to delay November brochure launches and review
Christmas advertising plans and 2002 discounts.