Daily Dispatch

SAA workers: union to approach courts again

- KGAUGELO MASWENENG

Representa­tives of workers at embattled SAA have threatened to approach the courts for the second time to force the airline to consult workers before publicisin­g business-rescue plans.

The National Union of Metalworke­rs of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Associatio­n (Sacca) are set to take legal action against the business rescue practition­ers (BRP).

Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, Numsa spokespers­on, said they had written to the BRPs at SAA to stop them making public their business rescue plans on March 6 before having done the following:

“Disclosed all relevant documentat­ion to allow workers to engage in meaningful consultati­on pertaining to the business and affairs of SAA. Consulted with workers and disclosed the draft BR plan so that we may make submission­s and propose possible alternativ­es.

“Allowed workers sufficient opportunit­y to review the plan in order that they may make submission­s or propose alternativ­es,” Hlubi-Majola said.

On Friday, the labour court dismissed the union’s applicatio­n to compel SAA to consult employees pending retrenchme­nts.

Hlubi-Majola said they believe there are various aspects of the Companies Act which have been flouted by the BRPs in relation to the rights of workers during this process.

“As we speak, an attempt is being made to railroad our members into accepting changes to their terms and conditions of employment. The BRPs have sent letters to employees who will be affected by the closure of the 11 routes, compelling them to agree to drasticall­y reduced hours.

“They will be working three or four days a week. We have

An attempt is being made to railroad our members into accepting changes to their terms of employment

advised our members not to sign these agreements as these are a direct violation of their rights in terms of the labour law.”

Hlubi-Majola said if the union received no response to its letter by the close of business on Tuesday, “we will have no choice but to approach the high court to interdict them from publishing the final business rescue plan.”

“This is the second time that we are preparing to approach the courts to enforce the rights of all workers at SAA after the labour court handed down an adverse finding against us. This is a matter we hope to appeal at the labour appeals court and we have petitioned it for direct access,” she said.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa