For Immediate Release
17th August 2022
SATAWU ON TAKATSO AND DPE DEAL
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) is rather deeply perturbed and very disturbed by the manner in which the South African Airways (SAA) and the Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) has handled the restructuring of SAA, on its entire transition process.
1. The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union had meetings with the Department of Public Enterprise and Trade Unions organised at SAA, such meetings being convened through Core Leadership Forum (CLF) was chaired by the Minister of the Department Mr Pravin. In these meetings, we agreed in principle
that in the processes of restructuring the company, government shall have not entirely abandon the business on its majority shareholding and give the business on its entirety on silver plate to the potential business partner. Further to that, we agreed in principle on a worker participatory processes in the business through Stakeholder shareholding of percentage to all workers.
2.That the nitty gritty of such a business model would be agreed upon by the parties. SATAWU can also confirm that DPE was not dismissive to the principle of workers being given at least not less than 10% of the entire business in a form of shareholding and then
Government can decide on how the remaining shares would be with its business partners, as long that did not compromise the above two key aspects.
We are very concerned on hearing from the media domain that SAA seems to be struggling with the business model deal with Takatso, including the notice that has been served on its possible grounding of the entity. The prevailing challenges among others include absence of consultation towards the finalization of this Business deal with Takatso Consortium which was signed off in the periphery of wonders.
It was insulting for the DPE to have got into such a big deal without our consent and submissions we made in all instances of our engagements. We have never agreed on how things are being done and the current quagmire is as the result of ignoring calls we made, but also being dismissive of principled that were set by the parties. Committed to further contribute on addressing prevailing situation that has engulfed this business deal, hence our call to meet SAA, DOE, SAA and TAKATSO Consortium and see how best we can contribute towards eliminating another possible grounding of this entity.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union wishes to also records its concern on recent statement by SAA and TAKATSO Consortium, such which we believe will not by any means resolve the juncture of which the company find itself. Such could only be through recognizing a need to discuss the challenges publicized in the media domain.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union has therefore requested an urgent meeting with the office of Minister Pravin Gordhan, SAA and Takatso Executives on being given audience on the prevailing challenges to once more present means that can be able to meaningfully contribute on eliminating the possible grounding of SAA, that being our primary objective but also on other issues raised in public domain both by SAA and Takatso Consortium.
The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union wishes to advise workers at SAA and Public on doing all on its exposure to contribute on addressing challenges at SAA as has been the case in the past, but that being premised from whether both DPE/SAA and
TAKATSO Consortium is interested on our intervention on challenges facing the business.
Issued By SATAWU
Secretary General Cde Jack Mazibuko:082 660 4793
Deputy General Secretary Cde Anele Kiet: 071 021 1903
Head of Communication Amanda Tshemese: 062 945 7217