Agreement reached to save more jobs at SAA
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) says they have managed to secure an increase in the number of workers to be retained at South African Airways (SAA).
Six major labour unions and government have reached an agreement around voluntary severance packages at the financially embattled airline.
Government and unions have reached an agreement to retain an additional 1,000 employees at the national flag carrier – twice the number of workers who will not be retrenched when the new airline is set up.
This means only 2,700 workers will be laid off if the final SAA rescue plan is accepted by creditors.
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"The additional group of 1000 employees will be placed on the training lay-off scheme for up to 12 months, where they will be on training during the ramp-up period,” says Numsa’s spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.
"In the training lay-off scheme, SAA will contribute a maximum of R4650 towards employees’ pension, UIF and company medical aid.
"We have consistently called for this scheme to be implemented in order to provide support for workers whilst the airline ramps up, and we are pleased that DPE has agreed to this arrangement.”
Th unions say although they remain dissatisfied about certain aspects, they will not oppose SAA’s application for the vision service plan (VSP), which is now a significantly improved package.