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Bonza Staff Officially Fired In Online Meeting After Airline’s Collapse
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/australia-business-news/bonza-staff-officially-fired-in-online-meeting-after-airlines-collapse
Former Bonza employees have expressed outrage after being officially terminated in an online meeting following two months without pay.
The airline entered voluntary administration on April 30 after its aircraft were repossessed and flights suspended.
Employees were called to an online meeting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10.
They were told by administrators from Hall Chadwick 323 staff members that their jobs were terminated immediately.
All future flights have been canceled, leaving thousands of customers out of pocket.
Hall Chadwick had set a deadline for potential buyers to submit offers by the previous Friday.
However, no offers were received, though the administrators stated that a suitor could still emerge.
About 200 staff attended the online meeting, which featured former CEO Tim Jordan, who remained silent, citing a gag order.
Several employees vented their frustrations as the meeting started 15 minutes late, calling the delay "very disrespectful."
Many questioned their entitlements and why the process had dragged on for so long.
One employee criticized the continued hope for a buyer despite multiple final deadlines for offers.
Another complained about "horrendous communication," noting the media was their most reliable source of updates.
Hall Chadwick previously disclosed charges of up to $1,000 per hour throughout the process.
“All of the staff are very upset that they've been left hanging on for so long"
A spokesman declined to answer questions.
He referred to a statement on their website, which read: "While this is not the news stakeholders wish to hear, the administrators must make a decision with respect to the standdown of the employees... the administrators have no option but to terminate all employees and cancel all future flights."
Many Bonza employees had already started new jobs, anticipating liquidation.
Flight attendant Kim Jones said: "We absolutely loved our jobs. I was given an opportunity to do something I had never done before, and I will forever be grateful to Bonza."
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Steven Reed from the Flight Attendants Association of Australia criticized the drawn-out process: "It's an absolutely appalling state of affairs.
“All of the staff are very upset that they've been left hanging on for so long."
Bonza remains in voluntary administration, preventing employees from accessing the federal government's Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) for unpaid wages and redundancy payouts until liquidation.
Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine called the news "devastating" and urged administrators to expedite the process.
Administrators are preparing their final creditors' report to determine Bonza's future.
Bonza's last plane, "Sheila," left Australia on June 5. Customers with future bookings are advised to seek alternatives or chargebacks from their banks or credit card providers.
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