Bring in Strategic Equity Partner to Save SAA and Jobs – FEDUSA

18 November 2019

As the crippling South African Airways enters its third day without an end in sight, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has called on government, especially Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan to take the unpopular but vital step of bringing in a strategic partner who will help to recapitalize the national carrier and save it from winding down and retrenching thousands of workers.

The partial privatization of such a high profile state owned enterprises will obviously be met with fierce resistance from the ruling party’s Alliance partners and other trade unions in general, but this is arguably the only viable option for a national carrier that has chalked up billions of rands in government bailouts following years of governance failure and cronyism, is bankrupt, needs to find R2 billion to survive to the end of the financial year in about two months’ time; in addition to meeting union demands of an 8% wage increase. The unions have not only rejected the airline’s 5.9% offer, but they have now made it clear that their fight is no longer just about wages but includes protecting more than 900 jobs that management has said are on the line.

All indications are that this is a moment of truth for all parties involved given that Finance Minister Tito Mboweni made it clear during his second Mini Budget last month that the time for free government cash injection is over; and financially stressed state owned enterprises will have to apply for a loan, that must be paid back, going forward. Even more unsympathetic was the statement attributed to Minister Gordhan by AFP last week when he addressed investors in New York, after hearing about the strike, that unlike Eskom, SAA was not too big to fail.

(338 Words)

 

For interviews please contact

Martle Keyter

Acting President FEDUSA

082 856 2496

 

Johan van Niekerk

UASA Divisional Manager – Specialist Division

 

083 282 5673 

 

Issued by:

Frank Nxumalo

FEDUSA Media and Research Officer

072 637 8096

 Email: research @fedusa.org.za