The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has announced that it will consider embarking on a protected strike against South African Airways Technical (Saat).
This, it said in a statement yesterday (Wednesday), was in an effort to compel the state-owned entity (SOE) to implement the recommendations of the report by forensic investigators Open Water Risk Solutions.
Open Water was tasked with investigating the management of agreements between Saat and third parties with regard to the leasing of engines, logistics, components, paint, tyre, aircraft recovery and repair management contracts.
The report – completed in May this year – found that a number of senior managers and executives of Saat had been allegedly practising tender manipulation and recommended that disciplinary action be taken against them.
However, acting spokesperson for Numsa, Phakamile Hlumi, noted that Saat had still taken no action against those implicated.
“Saat is quick to discipline workers for minor infractions but slow to discipline managers for serious misconduct. The Open Water report shows just how deep corruption runs at the SOE,” said Hlumi. “The looting of resources directly impacts on [the] wages and job security of our members and has a direct impact on its ability to create jobs.”
