United CEO Oscar Munoz is still feeling the backlash from the April 9th incident that saw a doctor dragged from a United flight. While Munoz attempted to explain the incident in multiple ways, including defending his employees and labeling the bloodied doctor as “disruptive and belligerent,” something that videos circulating brought into question, he quickly entered into damage-control mode, profusely apologizing in numerous letters and public statements for “re-accommodating” the passengers. By then, the damage had been done and United is likely facing a huge lawsuit from the victim.
Now Munoz is being re-accommodated himself within the United organization according to the New York Times, with the airline announcing he will no longer take on the role as company chairman, as his contract previously had called for.
The New York Times reports the altering of Munoz’s contract is most definitely linked to a horrid past few months in the public eye for the airline. First, two teenage girls were denied boarding because they were wearing leggings, then possibly the worst customer service in the history of customer service was all caught on tape.
The company’s board of directors says the move is all about accountability moving forward and will allow Munoz to concentrate on his current job:
“Having an independent chairman of the board is a means to ensure that Mr. Munoz is able to more exclusively focus on his role as chief executive officer,” the filing said.
The report says Munoz agreed to rip up a couple pages of his contract, but it was clear that now wasn’t really the time for a promotion. It would have only compounded an increasingly difficult public relations situation.
(Via The New York Times)