The union representing Thomas Cook staff in the UK has written to Tui to discuss union recognition and collective bargaining for its retail staff.
The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) said it hopes to rebuild ties with Tui following the collapse of Thomas Cook. Prior to becoming part of the Tui group, the union was recognised by Thomson in the UK in the late 1990s.
General secretary Manuel Cortes has written to Tui UK & Ireland managing director Andrew Flintham for a meeting.
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In a letter, he said: “The sad demise of Thomas Cook has clearly shown to travel trade workers the value of trade union membership.
“Our union fully understands the needs of retail travel staff as we have over 120 years’ experience representing workers in Thomas Cook and other travel retailers such as Thomson’s, which now part of Tui.
“I have therefore written to Andrew Flintham, the managing director for Tui in Britain and Ireland, seeking a meeting to discuss recognition of our union for his retail workforce.
“Our union was recognised in Thomson’s, so we are looking to rebuild our old acquaintances.”
Cortes added that Tui’s staff in Germany already enjoy union recognition.
He said: “What we are seeking is for TUI workers on our high streets to be treated in the same manner as their German counterparts. It’s important they are given a collective voice through recognition of our union.
“There is a very simple message for travel trade retail workers – join our TSSA family today.”
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