Numsa warns SAA members against ‘death warrant agreement’
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) have warned their members from signing any agreement at South African Airways (SAA).
SAA and SA Express employees are facing an uncertain future with the future of both airlines hanging in the balance.
The airline’s business rescue practitioners have put an offer on the table which would see the termination of the employment of SAA workers as the airline is wound down. Last week the two unions struck an agreement with Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan which would see them work towards a new airline.
“Workers must stand in solidarity as to enable us to do the best we can to safeguard their jobs and rights in these difficult times,” says Numsa’s Pakamile Hlubi-Majola.
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“The clarion call we are making to all workers at SAA is not to sign (business rescue practitioners) Siviwe Dongwana’s death warrant agreement.”
According to Hlubli-Majola, a meeting held with Gordhan to avoid the liquidation of both SAA and SA Express was constructive.
SA Express was subsequently placed on provisional liquidation by the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday.
'We are satisfied that there is a commitment from government to work together with Numsa, SACCA and other unions in earnest to find a sustainable solution to the challenges facing SA Express before the return date in the first week of June 2020 when the court will decide as to whether or not SAX will be placed in final liquidation.
''We also raised with the Minister the fact that we are fully committed to ensuring that both SAA and SAX are restructured, and in this regard, that Government should consider the capitalization of both institutions if we are to get out of the crisis.”