Unions gear up for SAA strike
South African Airways (SAA) acting chair Thandeka Mgoduso has confirmed that unions issued the national carrier with a strike notice on Wednesday.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) announced to set down tools following the announcement by the cash-strapped airline that it intends to retrench some 900 workers.
SAA believes the retrenchments could save it up to R700 million.
The SAA executives appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Wednesday to account for its inability to provide a 2018-19 annual report and financial statements.
READ: SAA like 'a patient in hospital' - CFO
Mgoduso said the airline is currently not in a financial position to cave in to salary demands.
“We have received a notification of strike this morning from Numsa and SAACA, that’s the cabin crew, and once there is no cabin crew then the aircraft cannot take off.
“Those are the issues we wanted to sensitise you to, so that you are aware of these and you aren’t surprised when you see things happening at the airways.
Meanwhile, SAA acting Chief Financial Officer Deon Fredricks confirmed that the cash-strapped state-owned are currently in discussion with Treasury around a R2 billion bailout to ensure it remains a going concern.
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