METAL workers union NUMSA has called for the removal of the CEO of Comair Glen Orsmond after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suspended its operations over safety concerns.
Comair has experienced “safety incidents” which are of huge concern, including a Kulula Boeing 737-800 experiencing engine failure.
“Our members wish to pass a vote of no confidence in the CEO and his executive to protect their jobs and livelihoods which are threatened by management decisions that put profits over people and people’s livelihoods.”
“We demand the resignation of Glen Orsmond and his executive and the withdrawal of the current threatening section 189 notice that was issued on the 1st of March 2022 to our members,” said NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.
Numsa is also calling on Comair to stop cutting salaries and benefits of the lowest-paid workers in the company.
“The CEO Glenn Orsmond does not have the vision to turn the organisation around and this is contributing to the crisis. We have expressed our lack of confidence in the current leadership led by the CEO who has a track record of closing down airlines in the past,” said Hlubi-Majola.
Comair is still under business rescue, and has not yet indicated when the business rescue process will end.
“This is a clear lack of confidence in the leadership. Comair has engaged in the three section 189 processes, reducing staff headcount and unilaterally removing benefits of our members for the apparent health of the company but all these have achieved is an overworked staff, and the grounding of the airline due to compromised safety standards.”
