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New Deal Goes Down - Cunard to Merge With Aer Lingus |
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Written by Carey Hunt
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Tuesday, 11 September 2007 |
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The new company, Cuna-Lingus will be a taste of things to come says Head of Marketing, Karput Burns. "Consumers' tastes have changed over the last few years, and we don't want to beat around the bush in responding to them. The merger of a great airline and a world class shipping company represents a fantastic opportunity for those wishing a taste of the exotic. Cunard want to get away from the image of ships being run by salty old seamen, and staff them along the same lines as Aer Lingus."
Meanwhile, the airline side of the business is also due for a shake-up. It's not known whether the current company slogan ("I work for Cunard") will be adopted in the new company, or replaced by something along the lines of "I go the extra mile for Cuna-Lingus". Head of Human Resources at the new company was tight-lipped on this but did tell out reporter, "Please don't be premature. It would be hard on our current workforce if we were to just come out with a huge news-splash. An announcement will be made at the proper time and not too soon." The Unions are also in negotiations to discuss their next move as it's understood that new recruits will have to pass 2 written and one oral exam before being allowed to serve on board ships or aircraft belonging to Cuna-Lingus. A spokesman told us, "This new company is playing with the futures of hundreds of staff, and we'd like to know if any of our members will be discharged as a result of this action. To lose one's job is a blow, no matter who you are". In reply, Mr Burns said that "For some companies, customer satisfaction is just a matter of taste, but for us, every single passage is unique, and should be treated as such. We don't intend to soft-soap the unions or pay lip service to good customer care. We are here to do a job amid stiff competition, and that's what we will do." Mardale is watching the situation with interest.
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