The SAA Pilots’ Association (Saapa) said on Thursday that is supported the call by trade unions for a leadership overhaul at SAA.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the SA Cabin Crew Association (Sacca), which have given notice that they will strike from Friday, have also called for the replacement of the SAA board and the appointment of management with the ability to turn the airline around.
Saapa chair Grant Back said: “In particular, we call for the appointment of an appropriately qualified CEO with experience in the aviation industry, and for a skills audit to be completed by an independent agency.”
Back said that pilots had made these demands to the SAA leadership in August.
SAA, which is technically insolvent and is struggling to raise working capital to fund operations, has an acting CEO and acting chair of the board. The CEO position has been vacant since June when former CEO Vuyani Jarana resigned, complaining that he was unable to get government support to turn the airline around.
“Since the departure of Jarana, each SAA union has repeatedly called for the appointment of accountable and capable leaders. These pleas have fallen on deaf ears and, as a result, the airline has sunk deeper into the abyss. SAA is broke because of the political interference of the Dudu Myeni-era and the continued mismanagement of the airline since her departure,” said the pilots statement.
Employees blame management for the state of the airline and argue that it is unfair to expect workers to take the pain of a wage freeze.
SAA said late on Wednesday that it has cancelled “nearly all” its flights for Friday and Saturday to minimise the disruptive effects of the strike.
The company estimates that it will lose R50m a day if all planes are grounded.
“We are putting our customers first and regret the inevitable inconvenience that these cancellations may cause our customers. However, by acting proactively, SAA can certainly help customers find alternatives,” SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said in the statement.
Saapa has not joined the strike. Pilots were awarded a 5.9% wage increase as part of rolling 10-year agreement that regulates their conditions of service.
The striking unions are asking for an 8% wage increase. SAA has said it is prepared to pay 5.9% but only if and when it is able to raise funding.
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