SAA unions reject government statement of an agreement
Updated | By Anastasi Mokgobu
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) say no agreement was reached with the Department of Public Enterprises about the future of South African Airways (SAA).
Unions say they only managed to talk about a possible framework which will guide the objectives under which the negotiations about the future of SAA will take place.
Representatives of government and unions met yesterday, following the proposal by the business rescue practitioners of possible mass retrenchments.
NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi Majola, says unions have been allowed to comment about current challenges confronting SAA and how they see the future of the severely cash strapped national airline.
"It will take place in the Consulting Forum, an initiative we support, and the draft agreement of the social compact to guide this process has not yet been signed," says Hlubi Majola.
She adds it was clear that national fiscus would continue to play a role in securing the future of the airline.
"We advanced views on how workers’ jobs must be secured and how workers in the transitional phase of us building the proposed restructured airline should be cushioned," says Hlubi Majola.
She has described the statement released by the DPE last night, as unfortunate and one-sided.
In it, the department said there was consensus that some jobs will be lost and that employees that are offered jobs, will need to make sacrifices.
"If we are to undertake another effort to save SAA, we need all parties to engage in good faith and respect the need for transparency, alignment and honesty," adds Hlbui Majola.
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