Tebogo Msimanga
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has reached a settlement with the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) at Comair over the medical aid issue.
NUMSA said they met with the attorneys’ over the weekend and they confirmed that Comair would be reinstating the medical aid for August, September, October and November 2020.
The airline has agreed to re-instate the medical aid effective immediately, after NUMSA threatened them with legal action for reneging on an agreement with employees to continue with the medical aid contributions
Last week Monday the BRPs told employees that from 1st of September, the company would no longer be making any contributions. “Furthermore, Comair has not paid employees their salaries since the 1st of June after it imposed unpaid leave on employees. Workers had to depend on the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) which does not cover their salaries in full”
NUMSA said If the proposed Business Rescue Plan which is scheduled to be voted on the 18th of September is adopted, then the Post Commencement Funding will cover the medical aid contribution until the end of November 2020. Given that this was the primary reason for going to court, we have decided to withdraw the urgent application from the Labour Court.
Trade union said they will be meeting with management and the BRPs on Tuesday (tomorrow) to discuss salaries and to find a way forward in resolving that issue. “We will continue to drive an agenda for workers and their families’, and to do everything possible to safeguard their rights.” read a statement issued by NUMSA National Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.
