South African Airways updates on 2016 wage negotiations with labour unions

JOHANNESBURG, 2016-May-12 — /Travel PR News/ — South African Airways (SAA) is committed towards finding a speedy resolution to 2016 wage negotiations with labour unions. The airline would like to provide the following update on negotiations currently underway.

1.    SAA commenced wage negotiations on 11 April 2016 with four labour unions that enjoy recognition and have bargaining rights within the bargaining forum. Participating unions are National Transport Movement (NTM), South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA), National Union of Metal Workers Association (NUMSA) and UASA, the Union. The first round of the negotiations ended on 20 April 2016 with parties agreeing to have time to review each other’s proposals.

2.    There were a series of subsequent meetings between the parties to the negotiations with the last meeting held on Friday, 06 May 2016.

3.    SAA has noted media reports suggesting that 2016 wage negotiations have deadlocked between the company and one of the labour unions citing comments made by the leadership of the company during a staff briefing last Friday that the company “has money”. Nothing could be further from the truth! Furthermore, none of the labour unions in the wage negotiations have to date formally declared a deadlock or lodged a dispute in terms thereof at the CCMA in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act. No such decision has to date been communicated to SAA.

4.    Comments made that SAA “has money” did not imply that the airline has now become profitable. Properly understood, the comments were limited to the extent to which the airline could maintain its operations without relying on government guarantees. Any other interpretation to the comments made was not intended and this communication seeks to clarify the airline’s position on the matter.

5.    The airline remains committed to negotiating in good faith with labour unions and undertakes to continue to work together with the unions to find a resolution which will constitute a reasonably meaningful response to the expectations of the employees whilst at the same time mindful to the need for the airline to remain operationally viable.
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About South African Airways:
South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 74 destinations, in partnership with SA Express, SA Airlink and its low cost carrier, Mango, within South Africa and across the continent, and nine intercontinental routes from its Johannesburg hub. It is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; and Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA. SAA is the winner of the ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for thirteen consecutive years and the winner of ‘Best Airline staff in Africa’ for four years. SAA has been named the coolest domestic airline at the Sunday Times Generation Next Awards.

For media information, please contact:

SAA Spokesperson
Tlali Tlali
Email: TlaliTlali@flysaa.com
Mobile:+27 82 333 3880
Office: +27 11 978 2298
Web: www.flysaa.com

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