SAA strike
Any news?
SAA won't budge on salary offer
Wed, 20 Jul 2005
South African Airways refused to increase its salary offer of five percent, the company said on Wednesday afternoon.
"The management of SAA does not intend moving from its offer of a five percent salary increase, while the unions are demanding an eight percent increase," said SAA spokesperson Sarah Uys.
This was in response to the nationwide "grasshopper" strike by about 5000 SAA ground staff and cabin crew, due to start at 4pm on Wednesday by members of the United Association of South Africa (Uasa). Uasa is demanding an eight percent increase.
No disruptions expected
Uys said SAA was not expecting any disruptions to its flight operations on Wednesday, and contingency plans were in place for operations to run as normal.
"Contingency plans are in place to counter any possible interruptions. These include combining flights, using larger aircraft on routes, and management helping to check passengers in."
She said SAA expected that all outgoing international flights on Wednesday afternoon and evening would depart as scheduled.
Check in times
SAA advised passengers to check in at airports well in advance to avoid any delays and to be informed timeously of any possible changes.
"Passengers scheduled to fly on SAA operated flights, domestic and international, from Thursday are advised to arrive at the respective airports as early as possible on the day of travel to be placed on the soonest available flight to their destination."
Uys said regular updates on the strike would be posted on the SAA website.
Uasa official Gerhard Ueckermann said SAA had originally offered a 4.2 percent increase plus a medical and housing subsidy. On Tuesday SAA offered a five percent increase but without housing and medical benefits.
Talks deadlock
Ueckermann said on Wednesday the dispute had not reached an amicable conclusion as SAA management had not invited them to the discussion table and had been "quite funny" with the union.
On Wednesday morning, SA Airlink said the anticipated strike by SAA check-in staff at Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) would not affect travellers on any flights.
"SA Airlink has set up a contingency plan and is utilising its own staff to man the dedicated SA Airlink check-in counters at JIA," said SA Airlink spokesperson Karin Murray.
Murray said the company's alternative check-in programme will ensure that all its flights departed according to schedule with as little possible inconvenience to customers.
SA Express not to be affected
South African Express Airways also said its flights would not be affected by the pending strike.
"Even though we have an alliance with South African Airways (SAA) and offer passengers access to a global network through this relationship, our staff are not involved in the industrial action," said chief executive officer Siza Mzimela.
He said it had contingency plans in order to limit delays out of Johannesburg because the company's check-in facilities were handled by SAA.
Meanwhile the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) said it was monitoring the situation at Johannesburg International Airport.
"Acsa will lend its support from an airports perspective wherever possible and try to assist passengers so that they are inconvenienced as little as possible," Acsa spokesperson Jacqui O'Sullivan said.