PDA

View Full Version : SAA's 180 degree turn


slapfaan
30th Nov 2007, 02:36
Typical SAA management logic..but me thinks it's too late..if they do it once,they'll do it AGAIN!!:yuk:

SAA sings a different tune on retrenchments

November 29 2007 at 11:48AM

By Anna Louw

With South Africa's best pilots being lured by promises of lucrative packages and better prospects from big international airlines, the South African Airways appears to have changed its mind about retrenching up to 225 pilots.

With the global airline market booming, some of the bigger airlines such as Air India, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad are said to be among the bigger carriers targeting South Africa's top pilots, reported to be among the best trained in the world.

With many pilots expected to resign from SAA, which was on a drive to reduce its pilot numbers by 225 through voluntary retrenchments packages, the airline now appears to have had a rethink on its strategy.






Cathy Bill, the manager of the South African Airways Pilots' Association, on Wednesday said SAA had initially targeted a R1,7-billion profit, and to achieve that margin, it had been advised by consultants to request "labour to come to the party".

The airline wanted to reduce its staff by 2 232 employees, of whom 225 were pilots.

After consultations with the unions, it appeared that a R638-million shortfall in the targeted profit margin had been met, and forced retrenchments were now unlikely, Bill said.

Bhabhalazi Bulunga, the general manager of human resources at SAA, said: "The global airline market is booming. As a result, some airlines are looking for pilots and cabin crew in different parts of the world, including South Africa."

Responding to the claim that 120 pilots were leaving SAA as a result of retrenchments, Bulunga said the figure was incorrect. "SAA has not retrenched any employees as a result of the current restructuring process," he said.

imustbemad
30th Nov 2007, 02:58
Monkey see
Monkey do

SoWhereToNow
30th Nov 2007, 04:46
It just goes to show the value SAA management place in labour. To use threats of retrenchments, basic scare tactics, in a booming airline market shows very little business sense! But we all know business has nothing to do with their decisions!