SAA and SA Express cases to be heard in different courts on Thursday
The National Unions
of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew
Association (SACCA) are heading to the Johannesburg Labour court on Thursday
over unpaid salaries at the South African Airline (SAA).
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says they will bring the urgent application to compel SAA to pay workers' salaries.
“The basis of our urgent application is that we want the Labour Court to declare that the decision taken by the BRP’s not to pay our members their 3-month salaries is unlawful and unfair, and we want the court to compel the BRP’s to pay our members their money within seven days.
“Workers at SAA are owed at least 8-months salary but SAA has made a final settlement proposal, where they will only be paid 3-months salary, and they must waive the rest. In order to receive this money, they must relinquish their claims to the remaining 5-months salary which is owed to them. NUMSA and SACCA members rightly refused to waive their rights, and they refused to sign the proposal, and as punishment, DPE instructed the BRP’s to pay only those who had signed, and to punish the rest by withholding this money,” says Hlubi-Majola.
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Meanwhile, another court case will be heard in the South Gauteng High Court in relation to the liquidation of SA Express.
Hlubi-Majola says the liquidators at SA Express will be in court to request an extension and to delay the final liquidation order.
“We have officially notified them that we support the request for a postponement at SA Express. It would be far worse for workers if the airline was liquidated than if it was sold. We are fighting to save this airline so that we can save jobs,” adds Hlubi-Majola.
