Moneyweb reports that as SA Airways (SAA) prepares to exit its business rescue proceedings, the SAA Pilots’ Association (Saapa) has threatened to take legal action against the airline’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) for alleged “favouritism” and unfair labour practices.

Saapa has referred the BRPs and the airline to the CCMA for allegedly contravening sections of the Labour Relations Act and “infringing [on the] freedom of association of Saapa members”. The BRPs have denied the allegations, saying their conduct against Saapa members has been lawful. Saapa members have been locked out of the airline since December, pending the cancellation of their contentious Regulatory Agreement. They have also not received a salary since March last year, when the airline ceased operations. Saapa members have also been unable to access SAA simulator facilities to qualify for ad-hoc work with other companies to recoup lost income. Non-Saapa members have apparently been permitted to use these facilities (paid for by third parties) while the airline remains under care and maintenance. In a 24 February letter to the BRPs, Saapa chief negotiator Glen Smith accused the BRPs of punishing Saapa members in favour of pilots who joined a rival union, the National Transport Movement (NTM), before the lookout, saying it was a “textbook instance of trade union sweetheart-ism”.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at Moneyweb <https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/saa-pilots-threaten-legal-action-against-business-rescue-practitioners/>

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