"Jet"tisioned airways

The media got its newsbite from crying employees to sob stories of loans gone bad due to job cuts. Jet airways sacking of 1100 people has sent the media in frenzy. Though I find it funny that people say “I took loans to get educated and now u cant sack me!!!” I remember Irfan Khans dialogue in the movie ‘Life in a Metro’ – “Life doesn’t come with a Guarantee clause” – Did Jet sign a contract to retain you for life? And would these same employees have remained loyal to Jet if Kingfisher offered them a better salary – nope they would jump the ship and cite capitalism. But now that the tables are turned there is a hue and cry. I agree that the way in which they were sacked seems incorrect i.e if media reports are to be believed and they were suddenly told to leave. Again I am sure Jet has its bases covered and the contracts talk of a one day notice.

Two observations on the whole episode for me –

1. It’s a Corporate Communications disaster – Thanks to one of my friends who ‘media-trained’ me I know a little bit of corporate communications and I am sure if he reads this post he can comment more. There is no statement/ communication to the media from Jet airways. Ideally you would expect Naresh Goyal --- (creates much more affinity than the Firang CEO) to come in the media – show sympathy for the employees, place the companies side as to how this is important for the companies well being etc – the message can be different but there needs to be some communication. Instead the Jet attitude is – let the storm pass by
   
2. The Raj Thackeray factor –
   It seems Raj Thackeray is developing an image of “Staller’. You don’t want the taxis to go off road, you are unemployed, anything and anyone “theoretically” wronged irrespective of the basis, larger good, safety and such menial factors whom do you turn to – the Staller. He has mastered the art of politicizing simple initiatives and hats off to him for being such a master politician at a young age. However heres the dilemma he faces – Most of these employees are from out of town i.e Non-Mumbaikars.
   Now how will he make a u-turn of his stated stand against these people?
   Or will he tell Jet to give back 1100 jobs but to Mumbaikars !!! Lets wait for the master to deliver his blow.