TimesLIVE reports that the majority of unions representing workers at SA Airways (SAA) have rejected the proposal of the business rescue practitioners (BRP) to wind down the airline.  

They stated:  “We, as the major unions at SAA, are committed to working actively and constructively with minister [Pravin] Gordhan in an effort to rescue our national carrier.  And we are prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to do so.  However, it appears as if no sacrifice will be enough to satisfy those who are intent on destroying SAA for whatever sinister reasons.”  The unions, including the SAA Pilots’ Association (Saapa), the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the SA Cabin Crew Association (Sacca), advised that their members had offered to cut their salaries by up to 49% for two months.  But according to them, the BRPs “have rejected our offer of a salary cut and, in doing so, have reneged on their previous commitment to accept it.  This pay cut – to the tune of R82m - was designed to buy enough time to restructure, right size and reform SAA.”  The unions said they had completely lost faith in the BRPs.  Amongst other items, the unions have demanded the resignation of the BRPs and withdrawal of their legal advisers “if they are not willing to categorically support the vision of a new national airline.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nomahlubi Jordaan at TimesLIVE

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page