The dawn of 23 September was a sad time for the travel industry, after Thomas Cook, the UK’s oldest airline and holiday package provider collapsed, leaving employees devastated, jobless and broke.
Not only is this the end of an era, after 178 glorious years of Thomas Cook, but the shocking news has dramatically affected 21,000 individuals and their families – as employees were told they wouldn’t be paid this month.
READ: KINDNESS COUNTS: Thomas Cook Passengers Raise Thousands For Staff
What’s the latest?
Thomas Cook Staff have been informed they will not be paid their September salaries and have to claim wages and redundancy payment from an online insolvency service. Despite was happening, most employees put on their bravest faces and worked their last day with the company, to ensure customers travelling Monday wouldn’t be stranded.
Repatriation is ongoing and the UK government tapped insurance and airline companies to ensure Thomas Cook holidaymakers get home without too much drama.
Glimmers of hope
Thankfully there is some good news here.
People from the UK and all over the world are doing their bit to try and soften the blow for the jobless Thomas Cook employees.
Gareth Simpson, who started working with Thomas Cook as a rep in 2002, launched jobs4thomascook.com on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the operator entered liquidation.
The website is designed for agencies, suppliers, airlines and other tour operators to be able to post their job vacancies, for free, for the ex-Cook staff to find new roles and apply easily.
“Yesterday [Monday] was a sad day for my TC family. There is a lot of amazing talent out there looking for a job. Let’s put out TC family before profit, competition and anything else.”
Gareth Simpson, Former Thomas Cook Employee and owner of the Stories of a Holiday Rep Facebook page
So far, a number of companies, including British Airways, TUI, Virgin Atlantic, Easyjet, have advertised roles and shown their support for the redundant Thomas Cook staff.
A little compassion goes a long way.
For the latest information, visit: www.thomascook.co.uk