Possible Nationwide Strike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Possible Nationwide Strike
Found an interesting piece of paper fluttering around at JIA this morning. Headline was SOLIDARITY, subject was BALLOT TO STRIKE at Nationwide Airlines, dated 10th sept 05 requiring form to be returned by 13th sept 05.
Heard that Nationwide has advised all employees that no pay increase this year due to "difficult trading circumstances" and this note issued one week after flying so many extra SAA stranded pax from the SAA strike in July 05.
Heard that Nationwide has advised all employees that no pay increase this year due to "difficult trading circumstances" and this note issued one week after flying so many extra SAA stranded pax from the SAA strike in July 05.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Africa
Age: 59
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey there,
The strike did not happen and yes CE did fly a lot of stranded SAA pax but we all know that CE wont get all those fares immediatly...it will take a few months...so yes business is difficult as usual....
The strike did not happen and yes CE did fly a lot of stranded SAA pax but we all know that CE wont get all those fares immediatly...it will take a few months...so yes business is difficult as usual....
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Moving around
Age: 43
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, well nationwide is the lowest paid airline in the industry, no increases in two years, no bonuses ever paid etc, not advocating the strike because the rumour is that mr. bricknell will just shut it down and that would be tragic, however some compassion towards employee's might be required.
Would just like to point out this is a cabin and ground crew prob the pilots i believe and this is rumours got a 20% increase recently. ????
Interesting. Please keep the airline open it really is a good airline and i wana go back one day!
Would just like to point out this is a cabin and ground crew prob the pilots i believe and this is rumours got a 20% increase recently. ????
Interesting. Please keep the airline open it really is a good airline and i wana go back one day!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds like its time for Mr B to sell the race car and concentrate on business!! 
I must admit Im surprised about the whole "difficult trading conditions" thing- Nationwide are very well positioned in the market- they sit squarly between the low cost and the full service operators- so they can play in both arenas very well. By all accounts they are not doing to badly on the revenue front so maybe the boss should drop the whole act and share a little good fortune with the people who work for him!
I must admit Im surprised about the whole "difficult trading conditions" thing- Nationwide are very well positioned in the market- they sit squarly between the low cost and the full service operators- so they can play in both arenas very well. By all accounts they are not doing to badly on the revenue front so maybe the boss should drop the whole act and share a little good fortune with the people who work for him!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dont know Gents......have you read the newspaper recently, Jet fuel costs are sky rocketing, most of the major US carriers are in deep Sh*t filling for bankrupcy etc, unless this fuel price comes down soon its difficult times ahead for all, not just NW.
Besides NW have survived many a crisis and if track records are anything to go by will survive this one too, VB must be a good businessman to last this long where so many others have failed. NW does pay horrible salaries, but every time a pilot or cabin crew member leaves there are 10 others to fill there shoes. Without an effective union that are willing to stand together VB can do what he likes when he likes.
Besides NW have survived many a crisis and if track records are anything to go by will survive this one too, VB must be a good businessman to last this long where so many others have failed. NW does pay horrible salaries, but every time a pilot or cabin crew member leaves there are 10 others to fill there shoes. Without an effective union that are willing to stand together VB can do what he likes when he likes.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: South Africa Pretoria
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well after Comair results I am sure CE is making big bucks! Remember CE''s overheads are much lower than BA. Eg. cheaper planes leased(if not owned). Also the 763 on the London route is doing well I hear!
I''ve heard that the strike is only Ground staff and cabin and not flight deck. F/o''s got a few cents increase the other day. Capt got one sometime last year.
I''ve heard that the strike is only Ground staff and cabin and not flight deck. F/o''s got a few cents increase the other day. Capt got one sometime last year.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: The World, although sometimes I wonder
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Know that NTW are short of crews and have cancelled many sectors due crew shortages. Believe they have emplyed 4 x ex SAA capts to help with their training, but because they are so short of capts., these 4 x pensioners are now flying on the line!
Net result: Comair has been contracted to train 14 new Nationwide pilots on the B737-200!
Some things don't make sense in flying!
Net result: Comair has been contracted to train 14 new Nationwide pilots on the B737-200!
Some things don't make sense in flying!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hopefully this gets sorted out- SAA paid ZAR500 mil for their CEO's arrogance, I wounder what contingency plans VB making?As far as has been reoprted here its just the ground staff or are the cabin crew involved too? Recent experience has proved that no cabin crew= no ops!
This is a very dangerous game both sides are playing- there is plenty capacity in the market at the moment so the other airlines will gladly take the passengers- probably under the same terms as Nationwide took the stranded SAA passengers (Nationwide charged SAA their full economy fare for each passenger they took- irrespective of what the fare the passenger paid- Im not critisizing here as I would have done the same!) this additional cost doubles the financial impact of the strike. He also wont be able to avoid paying the other airlines as if he refuses he will be kicked out of the IATA clearing house thus ending any interline deals he has with overseas and the local carriers.
Seems like a critial time ahead for the Nationwide guys and gals- hopefully sanity on both sides prevails
This is a very dangerous game both sides are playing- there is plenty capacity in the market at the moment so the other airlines will gladly take the passengers- probably under the same terms as Nationwide took the stranded SAA passengers (Nationwide charged SAA their full economy fare for each passenger they took- irrespective of what the fare the passenger paid- Im not critisizing here as I would have done the same!) this additional cost doubles the financial impact of the strike. He also wont be able to avoid paying the other airlines as if he refuses he will be kicked out of the IATA clearing house thus ending any interline deals he has with overseas and the local carriers.
Seems like a critial time ahead for the Nationwide guys and gals- hopefully sanity on both sides prevails
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was just told by a friend that VB has decided to shut nationwide down 
Hope that's just a rumour and he's not really going to do it.
It would be a great tragedy if nationwide closed
Hope that's just a rumour and he's not really going to do it.It would be a great tragedy if nationwide closed
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From Nationwides website:
Press Release
September, 20 2005
Nationwide Airlines accuse union of "deliberately misleading" workers over pay strike
Nationwide Airlines has accused the trade union, Solidarity of deliberately misleading statements regarding their payment to airline staff.
In a statement issued yesterday, Peter Griffiths, financial director of Nationwide Airlines, said the carrier believed that Solidarity's intention to call on members at Nationwide to strike had been taken "without proper consideration, is irresponsible and mischievous, and is not in the best interest of their members or the other 700 Nationwide employees". Solidarity announced today (Tuesday, September 20) that their members at Nationwide intend to strike at 5pm on Friday, September 23.
If the strike goes ahead, it is expected to have some effect on domestic flights, although all international and regional flights are expected to operate normally.Where domestic flights are affected, Nationwide will endeavor to re-accommodate passengers on other Nationwide flights or with the other domestic airlines. "The union statement is misleading in the extreme and contains several factual errors, " said Griffiths.
In their statement he said, Solidarity members are demanding an eight percent increase, comprising a five percent salary demand and a three percent pensionable increase".
"Nationwide believes that its current offer more than covers these demands".
According to Griffiths, Nationwide has a policy of automatically allowing for inflation by increasing cabin crew salaries annually, by five percent, on the anniversary of their joining the company.
"In addition to this, we have also offered a further four percent increase to all cabin crew and ground staff, including a compounded increase on the five percent already implemented," said Griffiths.
"Nationwide also recently implemented a three percent night shift allowance, so the total increase cabin crew will be receiving this year is 12.2 percent. According to Griffiths, it now appears that Solidarity are not taking into account the eight percent increase already implemented this year in making their demand for a further eight percent, making the total demand effectively over 16 percent, an amount far in excess of the inflation rate and well outside the parameters targeted by the Government in order to stem inflation.
Solidarity has 250 members in Nationwide Airlines (Pty) Ltd. out of a total of over 1 000 group employees.
"Nationwide management continues to be committed to a fair and equitable remuneration policy, and will do everything in its power to ensure that passengers are not unduly inconvenienced should this strike go ahead," concluded Griffiths. Passengers and the Travel Trade should contact the Nationwide Customer Care Centre on 011 344 7240 for updated information.
Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd On Behalf of Nationwide Airlines.
For more information or interviews please contact:
Evelyn John Holtzhausen
021 462 0416 / 082 658 6007
or on e-mail at: [email protected]
September, 20 2005
Nationwide Airlines accuse union of "deliberately misleading" workers over pay strike
Nationwide Airlines has accused the trade union, Solidarity of deliberately misleading statements regarding their payment to airline staff.
In a statement issued yesterday, Peter Griffiths, financial director of Nationwide Airlines, said the carrier believed that Solidarity's intention to call on members at Nationwide to strike had been taken "without proper consideration, is irresponsible and mischievous, and is not in the best interest of their members or the other 700 Nationwide employees". Solidarity announced today (Tuesday, September 20) that their members at Nationwide intend to strike at 5pm on Friday, September 23.
If the strike goes ahead, it is expected to have some effect on domestic flights, although all international and regional flights are expected to operate normally.Where domestic flights are affected, Nationwide will endeavor to re-accommodate passengers on other Nationwide flights or with the other domestic airlines. "The union statement is misleading in the extreme and contains several factual errors, " said Griffiths.
In their statement he said, Solidarity members are demanding an eight percent increase, comprising a five percent salary demand and a three percent pensionable increase".
"Nationwide believes that its current offer more than covers these demands".
According to Griffiths, Nationwide has a policy of automatically allowing for inflation by increasing cabin crew salaries annually, by five percent, on the anniversary of their joining the company.
"In addition to this, we have also offered a further four percent increase to all cabin crew and ground staff, including a compounded increase on the five percent already implemented," said Griffiths.
"Nationwide also recently implemented a three percent night shift allowance, so the total increase cabin crew will be receiving this year is 12.2 percent. According to Griffiths, it now appears that Solidarity are not taking into account the eight percent increase already implemented this year in making their demand for a further eight percent, making the total demand effectively over 16 percent, an amount far in excess of the inflation rate and well outside the parameters targeted by the Government in order to stem inflation.
Solidarity has 250 members in Nationwide Airlines (Pty) Ltd. out of a total of over 1 000 group employees.
"Nationwide management continues to be committed to a fair and equitable remuneration policy, and will do everything in its power to ensure that passengers are not unduly inconvenienced should this strike go ahead," concluded Griffiths. Passengers and the Travel Trade should contact the Nationwide Customer Care Centre on 011 344 7240 for updated information.
Issued by HWB Communications Pty Ltd On Behalf of Nationwide Airlines.
For more information or interviews please contact:
Evelyn John Holtzhausen
021 462 0416 / 082 658 6007
or on e-mail at: [email protected]
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now these figures may be all wrong but I have it from a reliable source that cabin crew at CE are taking home about R4500 (approx) a month and the increase they are asking for equates to about R300 - R400 each. This is slave labour, the cabin crew do a brilliant job for Nationwide, I am positive they are a large part of why Nationwide is so popular, how many times have you read here "friendly" "pretty" "efficient"...........maybe its time for VB to actually say thanks to the people who help make his company so popular................ Just as a comparison a SAA cabin crew member takes home about R12 000 - R14 000 per month.
However, VB is ruthless when it comes to people who cross him, I predict that if there is a strike, some crew members will work, some wont, those that wont will probably get fired, if they all stick together they may have a chance.
However, VB is ruthless when it comes to people who cross him, I predict that if there is a strike, some crew members will work, some wont, those that wont will probably get fired, if they all stick together they may have a chance.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fluffy,
Good point, as seen recently with the SAA strike- if everyone downs tools then you have a shot- especially the cabin crew! I really feel for those CE staff- they get shafted on all levels. One gets the feeling its a FIFO situation from the top down. With this type of corporate culture its amazing that the staff are able to deliver such good customer service- they must really love what they do- becuase they sure dont work for the money!!!
Good point, as seen recently with the SAA strike- if everyone downs tools then you have a shot- especially the cabin crew! I really feel for those CE staff- they get shafted on all levels. One gets the feeling its a FIFO situation from the top down. With this type of corporate culture its amazing that the staff are able to deliver such good customer service- they must really love what they do- becuase they sure dont work for the money!!!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It would appear that the old saying:
"What goes round comes round"
does not apply to NTW.
Maybe, just maybe, VB's chickens will come home to roost, one day!!
Goodluck to all of you at CE.
"What goes round comes round"
does not apply to NTW.
Maybe, just maybe, VB's chickens will come home to roost, one day!!
Goodluck to all of you at CE.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: South Africa
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nationwide Strike
Mail and Guardian Newspaper
Nationwide Airline strike set to start
Johannesburg, South Africa
The trade union Solidarity on Wednesday announced that it will go ahead with strike action against Nationwide Airline following a deadlock in negotiations.
Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans said the union has given Nationwide a 48-hour strike warning, which will expire on Friday.
He said negotiations "came to nothing" on Wednesday when Nationwide refused to budge from its offer of a 4% increase.
"We returned to negotiations today, prepared to lower our demand, but Nationwide's recalcitrant attitude unfortunately wiped out all chances of a settlement. We are left with no choice but to carry on with our planned strike," Kleynhans said.
He said the union renewed its demand that the company disclose its financial statements, which, he alleged, it refused.
"The company maintains that it cannot afford to offer our members a higher salary increase, but it refuses to give us access to its financial statements."
He said Nationwide has appointed a "costly" crisis-communications specialist to try to "crisis-communicate" its way out of the impending strike.
"We would much rather have seen the company appoint a dispute-resolution specialist.
"It is clear that Nationwide does not have the will to resolve the dispute with Solidarity, which is why it has retained a crisis-communications specialist to shift the blame for the potentially grave consequences of the strike on to Solidarity."
Solidarity's 320 members that are employees of Nationwide are expected to embark on the strike at 5pm on Friday. -- Sapa
A few other truths:-
"According to Griffiths, Nationwide has a policy of automatically allowing for inflation by increasing cabin crew salaries annually, by five percent, on the anniversary of their joining the company..."
The above quote is absolute rubbish, if the cabin crew had to backdate this supposed automatic increase, some cabin crew could demand a lot more than a meagre 8% increase!
Nationwide Airline strike set to start
Johannesburg, South Africa
The trade union Solidarity on Wednesday announced that it will go ahead with strike action against Nationwide Airline following a deadlock in negotiations.
Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans said the union has given Nationwide a 48-hour strike warning, which will expire on Friday.
He said negotiations "came to nothing" on Wednesday when Nationwide refused to budge from its offer of a 4% increase.
"We returned to negotiations today, prepared to lower our demand, but Nationwide's recalcitrant attitude unfortunately wiped out all chances of a settlement. We are left with no choice but to carry on with our planned strike," Kleynhans said.
He said the union renewed its demand that the company disclose its financial statements, which, he alleged, it refused.
"The company maintains that it cannot afford to offer our members a higher salary increase, but it refuses to give us access to its financial statements."
He said Nationwide has appointed a "costly" crisis-communications specialist to try to "crisis-communicate" its way out of the impending strike.
"We would much rather have seen the company appoint a dispute-resolution specialist.
"It is clear that Nationwide does not have the will to resolve the dispute with Solidarity, which is why it has retained a crisis-communications specialist to shift the blame for the potentially grave consequences of the strike on to Solidarity."
Solidarity's 320 members that are employees of Nationwide are expected to embark on the strike at 5pm on Friday. -- Sapa
A few other truths:-
"According to Griffiths, Nationwide has a policy of automatically allowing for inflation by increasing cabin crew salaries annually, by five percent, on the anniversary of their joining the company..."
The above quote is absolute rubbish, if the cabin crew had to backdate this supposed automatic increase, some cabin crew could demand a lot more than a meagre 8% increase!
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Town (where else?)
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nationwide's 'salary shock'
Sep 22 2005
Cape Town - The remuneration paid by Nationwide to its workers is the worst in the industry, trade union Solidarity claimed on Thursday on the eve of a possible crippling strike for the low-cost carrier.
Solidarity is demanding a 5% salary increase and a 3% pensionable increase for its members, while Nationwide is offering a 4% increase.
Solidarity said in a statement the basic starting salary for cabin crew at Nationwide is only R3 920. This is before the addition of a shift allowance of R117 and the proposed 4% increase, which would add R161 per month.
For the second year of service the basic salary remains R3 920 plus an annual increment of R380 and in the third year the basic salary increases to R4 300.
After six years' service the salary increases by R1 020 to R4 980, Solidarity said.
The union said the poor pay causes great staff turnover at Nationwide.
"This means that new cabin crew has to be trained all the time," said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.
He said due to the shortage of cabin crew many of the existing crew members are also obliged to fly outside scheduled hours.
"The overtime makes great demands on the cabin crew. Stress levels are high and morale is low, as a result of difficult working conditions and poor pay."
Solidarity also said Nationwide refused it access to the group's financial statements "to determine it the carrier is really in financial difficulty as it claims".
The trade union has now asked the labour dispute council, the CCMA, to intervene in an attempt to reach a speedy resolution.
Nationwide employs approximately 1 000 people.
"In terms of this calculation a demand for an additional 1% would cost the company between R496 320 and R615 312 for 2005/06, a far cry from the company's loss of income if a strike is factored in," Solidarity said.
The strike is set to begin at 17:00 on Friday, and will continue until 17:00 on Monday.
If the strike does not produce the desired result, it will be resumed on the next weekend, Solidarity threatened.
Sep 22 2005
Cape Town - The remuneration paid by Nationwide to its workers is the worst in the industry, trade union Solidarity claimed on Thursday on the eve of a possible crippling strike for the low-cost carrier.
Solidarity is demanding a 5% salary increase and a 3% pensionable increase for its members, while Nationwide is offering a 4% increase.
Solidarity said in a statement the basic starting salary for cabin crew at Nationwide is only R3 920. This is before the addition of a shift allowance of R117 and the proposed 4% increase, which would add R161 per month.
For the second year of service the basic salary remains R3 920 plus an annual increment of R380 and in the third year the basic salary increases to R4 300.
After six years' service the salary increases by R1 020 to R4 980, Solidarity said.
The union said the poor pay causes great staff turnover at Nationwide.
"This means that new cabin crew has to be trained all the time," said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.
He said due to the shortage of cabin crew many of the existing crew members are also obliged to fly outside scheduled hours.
"The overtime makes great demands on the cabin crew. Stress levels are high and morale is low, as a result of difficult working conditions and poor pay."
Solidarity also said Nationwide refused it access to the group's financial statements "to determine it the carrier is really in financial difficulty as it claims".
The trade union has now asked the labour dispute council, the CCMA, to intervene in an attempt to reach a speedy resolution.
Nationwide employs approximately 1 000 people.
"In terms of this calculation a demand for an additional 1% would cost the company between R496 320 and R615 312 for 2005/06, a far cry from the company's loss of income if a strike is factored in," Solidarity said.
The strike is set to begin at 17:00 on Friday, and will continue until 17:00 on Monday.
If the strike does not produce the desired result, it will be resumed on the next weekend, Solidarity threatened.
GunsssR4ever
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Out there somewhere ...
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If these salaries are true ... I really enjoy flying with Nationwide but let VB and co suffer the consequences at that is NOT what you pay the great employees you have !
The best hosties I have seen operating in a VERY long time (10 plus years ago)
Time for more money mate - share your wealth VB : it works !
The best hosties I have seen operating in a VERY long time (10 plus years ago)
Time for more money mate - share your wealth VB : it works !
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: T.B.A.
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree!
I agree Gunsss,
Nothing is worse than aircrew with low morale. One of the concepts of flight safety is to ensure your aircrew are happy.
Financial problems are one of the biggest worries a person can have.
Training new staff alone must cost a fortune. Experienced staff is confident staff and that eases the passengers as well, as you rightly said.
Happy clients comes back for more of the same...
Nothing is worse than aircrew with low morale. One of the concepts of flight safety is to ensure your aircrew are happy.
Financial problems are one of the biggest worries a person can have.
Training new staff alone must cost a fortune. Experienced staff is confident staff and that eases the passengers as well, as you rightly said.
Happy clients comes back for more of the same...