Union leaders vow to protect Easyjet jobs after Apollo takeover

In the United Kingdom, Easyjet, a budget airline, accepted a £5.7 billion takeover offer from Apollo, a US private equity firm, last week. This acquisition has raised concerns among employees and union leaders regarding potential job cuts and changes in working conditions. Easyjet employs approximately 19,000 staff, and the union Unite, which represents many of these employees, has committed to defending their jobs during the transition. The union's general secretary, Sharon Graham, emphasized the importance of translating Apollo's assurances about valuing staff into tangible protections for workers. The takeover is expected to lead to cost-cutting measures, which could affect customer service and result in increased flight prices and additional charges for services. Analysts suggest that Easyjet may follow Ryanair's model by enhancing its ancillary revenue streams, which include fees for luggage, seat selection, and onboard services. The European Union is also preparing to review ownership rules to prevent foreign control over airlines, which remains relevant for Easyjet due to its subsidiary in Austria that allows it to operate within the EU post-Brexit. If the union's conditions are not met, there is a possibility of strike action, highlighting the tension between the new ownership and employee rights.