Labor unions and representatives of non-unionized managers and ground staff at South African Airways agreed to accept voluntary-severance packages before the state-owned carrier\u2019s proposed restructuring.<\/p>\n
Only the South African Airways Pilots Association hasn\u2019t agreed to the plans, and will pursue a parallel process to consult the airline\u2019s administrators, the Department of Public Enterprises said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Six other unions, including the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Airways Cabin Crew Association, endorsed the offer following talks on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Employees who stand to lose their jobs will be supported by a social plan and skills development programme.<\/p>\n
Around 1,000 South African Airways staff will be retained and roughly 2,700 jobs will be cut, the department said. Those being dismissed will have access to the voluntary-severance packages after creditors approve the airline\u2019s business rescue plan.<\/p>\n
SAA was placed in a local form of bankruptcy protection in December. After frequent clashes between the government and administrators over restructuring proposals, a plan was announced last month to avoid liquidation and lay the groundwork for a revamped carrier.<\/p>\n
The rescue plan would require at least R26.7 billion ($1.6 billion) of state funding.<\/p>\n