CAPE TOWN, June (ANA) - The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) on Friday said it was concerned about July salaries at the embattled airline SA Express.
According to the union, even though June salaries have been confirmed, it was not yet clear whether employees will be paid at the end of July.
This after reports earlier this week, that the grounded airline would not be able to pay its employees at the end of June.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) grounded SA Express in May after it made 17 findings of non-compliance with regard to safety management processes.
“Since then the future of the airline looks uncertain, causing untold amounts of anxiety to workers who are also our members,” said Satawu in a statement.
“Even though the department of public enterprises has said that salaries will be paid on June 25, Satawu is gravely concerned about what will happen afterwards. Labour unions at SA Express have been engaging on a regular basis with acting chief executive Matsietsi Mokholo, but she has not been playing open cards.”
The union said Mokholo has not confirmed if there is a proper financial plan in place to fund operations when the state-owned airline’s application for recertification is approved.
“Mention has been made that 10 of SA Express’s 21 aircraft will take to the sky but there is still no clarity on when that will be.”
Satawu added that it has also been said that the Safety Management System has been put in place as stipulated by SACAA but no report has been released to this effect.
SA Express was not immediately available for comment.
- Africa News Agency (ANA)
