SAA may take legal action over unions’ safety allegations

South African Airways has threatened legal action over union claims that its operations are unsafe, as the airline works to reinstate flights canceled when cabin crews and technicians went on strike. An ongoing pay dispute with the carrier prompted SACCA and NUMSA to go on strike Nov 15, forcing SAA to ground most of its flights. The airline has since reinstated long-haul services, with several African regional routes scheduled to resume Nov 19, leading to union allegations of unsafe operations. SACCA and NUMSA did not immediately reply to requests for comment, but online video shows a NUMSA spokeswoman saying SAA is putting lives at risk by operating with inexperienced safety officers and temporary technicians. SAA acting CE Zuks Ramasia described the union claims as “malicious”. <br/>