The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) have joined forces to fight against the escalating crisis at SAA.

It’s no secret that the national carrier is in a crisis. Recently government had to bail it out with R2.3 billion because it is R9 billion in debt. Its financial problems are caused by poor management and corruption, nothing more, and our members are suffering under the burden of poor working conditions and low wages as a result of this disastrous situation.

Corruption at SAA is rife, it’s clear that the state owned entity is being looted. The report by Ernst & Young paints a picture of rampant mismanagement, fraud and corruption. SAA has lost billions because of tender irregularities. It is clear that the SOE is being looted.

SAA is also refusing to increase wages for the majority of workers, including the cabin crew, ground staff, cargo staff, and technical staff, but it is willing to continue paying out generous packages to the pilots, who are mostly white and male.

Pilots at SAA are pampered and they receive lucrative benefits at the expense of the majority of workers. NUMSA has lodged a dispute through the CCMA and mediation on these and other issues will take place soon. We hope to reach an agreement soon because if talks fail, then we may have to resort to a strike.

NUMSA and SACCA will be marching to highlight these and other issues on Friday the 4th of August.

Members of the press are invited to attend the march, details are as follows:

DATE                            : Friday 04 August, 2017

TIME                             : 10:00

ASSEMBLY POINT      : Southern Sun Hotel, OR Tambo International Airport

DESTINATION             : Memorandum to be delivered to SAA Technical, 8 Jones road, Kempton Park                                                           :

Phakamile Hlubi

NUMSA Acting Spokesperson

0833767725