SAA ‘lost R25m in hours’ during cabin crew strike

South African Airways’ (SAA) legal representatives alleged in the Labour Court yesterday their client had lost R25 million in a couple of hours during a strike led by the South African Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) last week.

Representing SAA during arguments on the interim order granted by the court last week that the strike was unprotected and that cabin crew members should, therefore, return to work, advocate Andrew Redding told the court an initial estimate of R100 million in losses was not an exaggeration.

He said his client could have lost R100 million in four days, had the strike continued.

In SAA’s replying affidavit before court, the company said it made a loss of R13 million on ticket cancellations and refunds, R7 million on hotel bookings and R5 million on contingency in a few hours.

Redding also told the court he was at the airport on the day of the strike.

“I myself was at the airport last week and saw queues and queues of people… I saw the destruction first hand that was created by the strike. The issue is a serious one.”

Representing Sacca, advocate Omphemetse Mooki earlier argued that no evidence had been presented in court that SAA would lose R100 million if the strike continued.

Mooki said the matter relating to meal allowances had been brought to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

Referring to Section 64 of the Labour Relations Act, Mooki argued that it was a protected strike. In reference to the same section of the act, he added that every employee has the right to strike and a certificate stating the dispute remains unresolved was issued.

He said his client had followed all lawful procedures before the strike.

The court ordered that Sacca should not strike, but can file the matter at the CCMA again and that the findings will be made on May 10.

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