IT WAS with a feeling of deep disappointment that I read the article entitled CASS clears up agents' payment concerns and sets June start-up date which was contributed by Karen Mitchell to the FTW of May 7, 1999.
A couple of years ago the freight forwarders were asked to participate in a feasibility study which was being conducted on behalf of the airlines with the objective of looking into the possibility of introducing the Cargo Accounting Settlement System (CASS) in South Africa. Despite their willing participation, the results of this feasibility study have never been disclosed to the freight forwarders.
Some time thereafter the freight forwarders were advised of the intended implementation of CASS without prior consultation or negotiation, in complete contravention of the agreement reached between the two international parent bodies of IATA and FIATA.
In the circumstances it was not entirely surprising that the freight forwarders, who have always worked closely with the airlines, rejected the proposed system.
At the instigation of SAAFF (SA Association of Freight Forwarders) a meeting was convened with CASS and IATA which took place in the IATA offices in September last year. SAAFF was represented by eight of the senior freight forwarders who put forward in detail the concerns of the industry. No minutes were circulated by IATA and from notices subsequently published by CASS it appeared that the concerns had been largely ignored.
As a result, in an effort to reach a solution which was fair to both sides and in order to restore the amicable relationship between the airlines and freight forwarders, SAAFF convened a further meeting which was held in the offices of Expeditors and was chaired by Wendy Vorster on May 3. This meeting was attended by representatives of all the interested parties, and many of the one-sided proposals put forward by CASS were discussed and resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned. Others, because of their complexity or implications, were to be further considered at a meeting set down for May 21.
The tone and content of the article contributed by Karen Mitchell goes a long way towards undoing much of the relationship-building which the airline representatives and the freight forwarders had
contributed to the meeting on May 3. A better sense of fairness might have led to the composition of a joint statement representing the views of both parties at the conclusion of negotiations.
Edward Little, executive director, SAAFF, Johannesburg.
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