COLLAPSE
THOMAS COOK
Travel firms have thrown a lifeline to Cook staff made jobless as a result of the firm’s collapse
Homeworking firms cut fees to attract Cook staff
Homeworking firms have waived joining fees or offered cut-price deals to atract displaced Tomas Cook staff to join them. Firms said it was critical the
industry worked together to ensure about 4,000 Tomas Cook retail staff were not lost to other industries. Travel Counsellors dropped its
joining and management fees – usually between £11,000 and £30,000 – for Cook agents with leisure experience. Te firm is also running Tomas Cook ‘care events’ across the UK. Chief executive Steve Byrne said:
“Tis is a difficult, emotional time for many people. In such trying times, it’s simply the right thing to do.” Not Just Travel and Te Travel
Franchise also offered to waive the £11,995 sign-up fee for Cook agents – although they will not go on its overseas training retreat because they already have industry knowledge. Co-founder Steve Wit said: “It
will be a ready-made, fast retraining solution where they no longer have to worry about their future.” Holidaysplease urged staff to
Don’t lose hope, recruitment firms tell jobseekers
Former Tomas Cook staff have been urged not to lose hope as recruitment firms said there was high demand for experienced staff. C&M Travel Recruitment
director Barbara Kolosinska said: “Jobseekers with experience in the
8 26 SEPTEMBER 2019
apply for office sales positions or homeworking roles. If a number of people from the same area apply successfully the company has said it will fund the set-up of a new office for sales staff, rather than requiring them to relocate to Birmingham. Director Charles Duncombe said:
“It would be a travesty to lose people from travel who have worked so hard to build up such an iconic brand.” But Designer Travel, which also
employs homeworkers and welcomed
calls from Cook staff, cautioned agents from switching too quickly. On Facebook, agency director
Amanda Mathews said: “Don’t just jump without doing your homework.” She said it was important
agents were happy to work alone at home, and urged them to ask about commission, when it is paid, monthly fees, 24-hour cover, commercial terms, insurance cover for dynamic packages and whether they were required to source their own leads.
Agency groups offer route back into the industry
Travel agency groups nationwide stepped in to offer positions to jobless Tomas Cook staff. Tui held a jobs fair at its Luton
headquarters this week, while agencies Hays Travel North West and Miles Morgan Travel urged Cook agents to get in touch. Hays Travel North West has
36 branches and is targeting 50. Managing director Don Bircham said: “Tere are opportunities coming as we expand up the M6 corridor. We can offer a route back into the industry for these talented agents.” Miles Morgan, owner of
miniple Miles Morgan Travel, was meeting Cook agents this week. He said: “We are looking to
expand and are really keen to talk to Tomas Cook people.” East of England-based agency
chain Premier Travel said it would recruit former Cook staff “where we can”. Director Paul Waters said: “Tere are a lot of talented and passionate people out there.” Midcounties Co-Operative
industry have been in high demand in recent months, so they should try to remain upbeat.” C&M Travel Recruitment has
set up a dedicated email helpline,
tcstaff@candm.co.uk, for Cook staff and has an open day on October 1. Travel Trade Recruitment sales
director Claire Muge said: “It will be competitive, but it’s certainly not all doom and gloom.” Classic Travel homeworker
Jenny Jackson has set up a recruitment group on Facebook
page Travel Agent Rants and Raves for Cook staff. She said: “We want them to know they have not been abandoned.” Miles Morgan Travel owner
Miles Morgan said: “Te failure of International Leisure Group [in 1991] proved a collapse can lead to a springboard into another career. So many ILG staff have gone on to have stellar industry careers.” Cook staff have been told
to apply to the Insolvency Service for redundancy payments.
travelweekly.co.uk
Travel is looking for agents to join its retail network in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, East Midlands, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and Dorset. Online agency Cruise118
encouraged Cook staff to join one of four two-hour workshops on October 4 at its Chorley HQ.
Miles Morgan
PICTURE: Shutterstock
PICTURE: Sarah Lucy Brown
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