Public Enterprises supports SAA pilot lockout
The Department of Public Enterprises has come out in support of the decision by South African Airways (SAA) business rescuers to lock out members of the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA).
This comes after the administrators issued a 48-hour notice to prevent nearly 400 pilots from accessing the company's premises until they agree to new employment terms and conditions.
The department’s spokesperson Richard Mantu says it agrees with the business rescue practitioners and their insistence on addressing the regulating agreement.
“As a shareholder on behalf of the government, the department believes that one of the critical areas for a restructured SAA to get off the ground is to reduce the high-cost structure caused by onerous contracts and high salaries and perks implemented under SAAPA’s regulating agreement.
“This the best opportunity to agree on new employment conditions, which will result in the restructured, sustainable, agile and technology-savvy airline.”
Listen to Richard Mantu below:
He says the regulating agreement should be terminated.
“The RA that was signed in 1988 is a financial burden to the national airline as its primary objective is to preserve undeserved privileges accrued through unjust laws that preserved aviation careers to a small minority in this country. These privileges came with unaffordable benefits and a salary framework, which should be terminated. The RA is unconstitutional and unlawful and should be terminated.
“We urge the pilots to negotiate in good faith as all other workers in SAA have compromised immensely on their salaries and benefits to enable the launch of the new airline.”
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