'We cannot afford for SAA to collapse': unions on SAA
Updated | By Christelle du Toit
"Numsa and Sacca call on all progressive communities and political parties to take a stand against the current obsession of championing belt-tightening," said the unions in a joint statement.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) have responded to the Department of Public Enterprises announcement that South African Airways (SAA)'s financial position is deteriorating, forcing ti to intervene.
Workers say South Africa can't afford to let SAA collapse in the light of the country's' high unemployment rate.
"Numsa and Sacca call on all progressive communities and political parties to take a stand against the current obsession of championing belt-tightening," said the unions in a joint statement.
"We reject governments flawed thinking that the state has no business in business and that we must allow the market to guide development. This is ultimately at the centre of the current economic stagnation. This agenda is about auctioning and privatising all SOE’s in South Africa."
On Wednesday, The Department of Public Enterprises said the recent workers strike at SAA is what led to the deterioration at the cash-strapped state-owned enterprise (SOE).
ALSO READ: SAA battles force Pravin Gordhan to take action, details to come in the next week
Unions say they have called on Gordhan to take measures that will enable SAA – working together with the task team – to renegotiate expensive ground-handling, aircraft leases, IT contracts, components contracts at SAA Technical, exorbitant bank charges, and general procurement contracts.
"It is Numsa’s and SACCA’s position that what needs to be done at SAA is to urgently insource expensive ground-handling," they said.
"We cannot afford for SAA to collapse.
"Numsa and SACCA want to state on record that we remain committed to working hard in finding solutions that can save SAA."
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