Numsa, SACCA urge workers not to sign SAA severance packages
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) have told workers not to accept any severances packages until there is confirmation of funding for South African Airways (SAA).
SAA has sent out the termination agreements to workers and asked to sign before September 2.
But the unions believe this could leave workers completely out of pocket.
"We have good reason to be concerned given that SAA employees have not received any salary for the last four months, they have been depending on the TERS relief scheme which does not cover their salaries in full,” says Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.
“We have demanded that SAA pay employees outstanding salaries, and they are passing the buck."
She says SAA management is refusing to take responsibility for the failure to pay workers their outstanding salaries.
"They refuse to take responsibility for non-payment, claiming that the business rescue practitioners and the Department of Public Enterprises are responsible for paying salaries. They are throwing workers under the bus, and running away from their legal obligations.
LISTEN TO HLUBI MAJOLA HERE:
"If SAA has any chance of survival the entire board and executive must be replaced because they drove the airline into the ground. We will not tolerate any of these current board members or executives continuing to occupy positions in the ‘new’ SAA as this will doom the airline to fail before it has even had a chance to take off."
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