The leadership of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) has continued to receive concerning reports from our members located in different subsidiaries of South African Airways (SAA). These reports relate but are not limited to the non-payment of staff salaries for the past 9 months. The union condemns the animal-like conditions and inhumane labour practice with the contempt it deserves. This is a direct violation on the side of the employer, to honour the contractual agreement/obligation with employees regardless of the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) process.
The assault against aviation workers is in this instance executed by the state in collaboration with bourgeois BRPs. These developments have exposed the concealed rate of exploitation in SAAβs labour process. The airline continues to consume the labour-power of ordinary workers without making any efforts to pay their salaries. This has simultaneously aggravated, perpetuated and reproduced social and structural inequalities that the airline had to avert by design and makeup.
The proletariat located in the aviation sector in general, and SAA subsidiaries in particular, have lost their properties as a consequence of unprecedented bank repossessions which could have been avoided through state intervention. More fundamentally, this puts workers in a precarious position and contributes to the already dire socio-economic situation that many South African currently find themselves in.
The proletariat located in the aviation sector in general, and SAA subsidiaries in particular, have lost their properties as a consequence of unprecedented bank repossessions which could have been avoided through state intervention. More fundamentally, this puts workers in a precarious position and contributes to the already dire socio-economic situation that many South African currently find themselves in.
It seems clear as well, that to rescue the entity, the most vulnerable yet potentially powerful group, the proletariat, are not only targeted but dehumanised by the BRPs. The latter is a result of the contradictions inherent within South Africaβs neo-colonial political economy. The SATAWU leadership has, therefore, resolved to challenge the BRPs at SAA, as our members have been affected by their actions.
The BRPs have overstayed their welcome at SAA, as they were meant to rescue the airline no later than the end of February 2021. The immediate exist of BRPs is equally influenced by the fact that they succeeded in fulfilling their self-enrichment agenda at the expense of rescuing the airline and protecting the livelihoods of workers. In the same breath, SATAWU demands accountability from the BRPs on the funds used for the rescue process.
To add insult to injury and salt in the wound, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has not been helpful in this situation, as it has delayed in releasing funds necessary for the reconstruction and development of the airline. With this said, the DPE seems to be playing the historical role of assisting the bourgeoisie to oppress the proletariat, and they seem to be playing this role very well in this instance. The βmediating roleβ played by the DPE between labour and the BRPs, has advanced and safe-guarded private sector and/or private property interests of the latter.
Members of SATAWU have resolved to gather on 05 March 2021 at the Isando Station, at 08h30, to be addressed by the leadership of the union. After the address, those gathered will march to Airways Park to hand over a memorandum to the BRPs and the DPE. SATAWU has been granted permission to march, in terms of the Public Gatherings Act, and has fulfilled the necessary obligations with law enforcement. At 13h00, those gathered for the march will return to the Isando Station, before dispersing. The march is expected to be attended by employees of SAAT and Airchefs, as well as members of the communities surrounding the O.R Tambo International Airport.
As we wage this class struggle, the union will ensure that its members and community residents adhere to all COVID-19 regulations, such as mask-wearing, sanitizing and social distance.
Issued by: South African Transport & Allied Workers Union
For more information, contact
SATAWU General Secretary: Jack Mazibuko: 082 660 4793
SATAWU Deputy General Secretary: Anele Kiet: 071 021 1903