SAA Strike to Disrupt Flights !

[Gunship]

From IOL :

Flights at Johannesburg International Airport will be disrupted when aviation members of the United Association of SA embark on industrial action from Wednesday after a deadlock in negotiations, Uasa said on Tuesday.

Uasa is the largest representative union of ground staff and cabin crew at South African Airways (SAA).

"We gave SAA notice yesterday (on Monday) to embark on industrial action after 48 hours," Uasa official Gerhard Ueckermann said on Tuesday.

"The reason we declared a dispute is because last year we received a 6.2 percent increase when the company (SAA) had a deficit... and this year we are getting less when the company reported a profit of R8-billion." How can this be?

Uasa is demanding an eight percent increase, and SAA is offering five percent. A meeting between both parties on Friday with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) failed.

Ueckermann said the union wanted to resolve the strike within the 48-hour notice period, but had not heard from the airline.

He said SAA had originally offered a 4,2 percent increase plus a medical and housing subsidy.

"This morning (Tuesday) they offered a five percent increase but they are taking away the housing and medical benefits."

Maryna Kleynhans, an official of the Aviation Working Unit (Aiwu) - a registered sector of Uasa - said the action would be a "grasshopper strike" as striking would occur on various days.

All incoming and outgoing domestic flights and outgoing international flights will be disrupted.

"But we will not disrupt incoming flights from overseas (and African international flights)."

Kleynhans could not give a definite answer as to when the strike would end. "The intention is to be long enough to be effective. Whatever is effective to get the point across."

She said the union had met the CCMA on Tuesday afternoon to discuss picketing rules and other issues.

Members of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) - Uasa's umbrella body - are also supporting the strike.

"We believe our demands to be reasonable. We call on SAA to engage with the union. We are responsible, but we are getting pushed too far. SAA must be reciprocating or it will be a crippling strike... so rather lets resolve this issue in an amicable way," said Fedusa spokesman Chez Milani.

Earlier in July, SAA reported a net profit of R966-million for the year ending June 30, up from an R8,6-billion loss last year.

Meanwhile, SAA has assured its passengers that contingency plans have been made to minimise disruptions of its services.

"We encourage passengers who are able to do so to make alternative travel plans or delay their travel intended for the next few days," said Viwe Mlenzana, the airline's acting general manager of human resources.

"We are disappointed that our protracted wage negotiations over the previous months had to result in some members of our cabin crew and ground staff opting for the choice to go on strike."

Mlenzana said the decision by Aiwu and the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union to strike did not take into account the negative long-term effects of such action.

"Combined with the state of the aviation industry, oil prices and cost measures which we have embarked on to remain profitable exacerbates the situation, especially as we are only beginning to recover from a multi billion rand loss."

He said SAA was willing to implement the five percent increase immediately, should the unions or any employees accept the offer.

Mlenzana said SAA acknowledged that its employees had the right to industrial action.

"The company also underwrites the principle of no work, no pay." - Sapa

[Gunship]

Johannesburg - A nationwide "grasshopper" strike by about 5 000 SA Airways ground staff and cabin crew is geared to start at 16:00 on Wednesday, the United Association of South Africa (UASA) union said.

"We can officially embark on the strike at 16:00. We will embark on a 'grasshopper strike' where various groups will go on strike at different times," Uasa official Gerhard Ueckermann said.

Uasa is demanding an 8% wage increase while SAA is offering 5%. Ueckermann said SAA had originally offered a 4.2% increase plus a medical and housing subsidy.

On Tuesday SAA offered a 5% increase but without housing and medical benefits.

He said 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.

"If they do comparisons, they will come to the conclusion that it (a strike) is not worthwhile. Rather pay us what we demand, it's much cheaper," he said.

SAA spokesperson Sarah Uys said it was unlikely that flights would be cancelled, but still advised travellers to delay their flight plans.

"Our leadership is meeting as we speak, so we'll have to see what comes out of that," she said.

[goaround7]

By most accounts, check in etc went more smoothly and efficiently than normal during the 'strike'...

[putco]

Will we even notice???

[Gunship]

Yip it looks like it ... :ok:

The United Association of South Africa (Uasa) and management of South African Airways (SAA) will meet on Thursday for informal discussions regarding pay negotiations.

SAA spokesperson Onkgopotse Tabane confirmed on Thursday morning that management will meet the union.

"There will be a meeting, but it's not formal negotiations," he said.

"We will know after the meeting when the next formal negotiations will be held, if at all."

Uasa, the largest representative union of ground staff and cabin crew at SAA, called off Wednesday's nation-wide strike after SAA management agreed to meet the union.

More Here : (http://www.finance24.com/articles/default/display_article.asp?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-24_1741039)

[Beta Light]

Just heard from my family who is on standby at the airport that the strike is on....will know in the next couple of hours how it will effect flights.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Beta Light

How can they tell there's a strike on?:confused:

[Gunship]

A strike master (that's a new name for a striker in charge) ;) said all flight till 0800 this AM to overseas destinations would have been effected .... all he said (E-News)

But from Finance 24 :

A crippling strike on Friday forced SA Airways to cancel domestic and international flights.

The national carrier\'s operations were disrupted as crew and cabin staff launched an open-ended strike for higher pay.

SAA urged passengers to make alternative travel plans.

Two leading unions, Uasa and Satawu, launched the strike early on Friday to press their demand for an 8% wage increase instead of the 5% offered by SAA management, and said the protest had had a successful start.

SAA, meanwhile, issued a statement saying that it had "cancelled some of its domestic flights and flights to Lusaka, Nairobi and Entebbe.

It was chaos at the Johannesburg International Airport with a queue snaking about 200m awaited passengers at international departures.

According to Uasa no flights had taken off from Cape Town and Durban.

"From the information we\'ve got no SAA flights have taken off yet from Johannesburg and Cape Town," said Uasa aviation working unit spokesperson Gerhard Ueckermann.

Other flights

Satawu said flights from the eastern seaboard cities of Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth had also been affected.

An Airports Company of SA spokesperson confirmed on Friday that all outbound SAA flights from Durban International Airport were cancelled.

Colin Naidoo said it was "hectic but under control" in Durban as they did their best to get stranded passengers onto other flights.

"Inbound flights to Durban from Cape Town and Johannesburg have also been cancelled but those passengers will also be able to get in on other flights - without extra cost - because SAA has made an arrangement with other airlines," he said.

Officials earlier assured awaiting passengers that no flights were being cancelled but delays would be inevitable.

By 09:00 on Friday Mubiru Richard had spent three hours waiting in Johannesburg for the international SAA flight to Uganda.

SAA officials were walking up and down the queue handing out pamphlets to inform people of the strike and its effects.

"We would like to assure our passengers that we have put contingency plans in place to minimise disruptions. We encourage passengers who are able to do so to make alternative travel plans or delay their travel intended for the next few days," the SAA pamphlet read.

Random picking

According to the officials, people were being accommodated on various other airlines and flights to Maputo, Victoria Falls and Gaborone had departed successfully.

"I still have no indication that I will be going," said Richard. They are just picking out people from the queue (for seats on other airlines)."

Another passenger, George Pillay, said he was very upset and hungry but wouldn\'t dare leave the queue in fear of losing his place. He was due to travel to Sao Paulo.

Goretti Kyomuhendo, also waiting for a flight to Uganda, said she was scared that she would have to spend a night or two stuck in Johannesburg.

She had been standing in the queue since 06:00.

Police were on standby, close to the queues, but were not expecting any serious problems.

Meanwhile, the long queues and delays were causing a shortage of trolleys.

"People in the queues are hanging onto their trolleys," said Airports Company of SA spokesperson Jacqui O\'Sullivan.

They were trying to "redeploy" trolleys and taken them to the international section, where passengers tended to have more luggage.

[Deanw]

I'd go on strike, but slaves have to be sold ... :E

[Beta Light]

LOL @ Solid Rust.. sounds like a normal day for them.
Pick pockets are NOT on strike and having a field day though,
Self employment is working!!

[BAKELA]

We would like to assure our passengers that we have put contingency plans in place to minimise disruptions. We encourage passengers who are able to do so to make alternative travel plans or delay their travel intended for the next few days," the SAA pamphlet read. The contingency plans seems to be like the rest of SAA's management - they just don't seem to work.:}

Just a question, is a paid up passenger ticket not a legal contract between the carrier and the pax? Those that can afford to make "alternative travel plans" should sue the crap out of SAA.

Must say, for once, SAA staffers have my full support on this one and two things comes to mind.

The SAA Big Boss's chopper doesn't seem to help much with this one...

Secondly, the travelling public who supports SAA can now see what some of us have known for years now...alright I'll stop there...:E

I hope BA/Comair, Nationwide, 1Time and Kulula did plan and put up some extra flights :ok: to help the people left stranded by the "excellent service and care" of SAA.

[Gunship]

Latest is that the SA Gov stepped in ...

The department of labour has intervened in Friday's South African Airways (SAA) strike, the United Association of SA (Uasa) said.

General manager Andre Venter said this followed a request to Labour Minister Menbathisi Mdladlana to put pressure on SAA management to resume wage talks.

The ministry agreed and called on SAA and the unions to engage in negotiations.

Venter said Uasa had been in contact with SAA management and the protocols related to such a meeting were being ironed out.

"From our side, we are very eager," he said.

The request to the minister was made by the Federation of Unions of SA, Uasa's umbrella body.

Venter said meetings scheduled for 14:00 and 17:00 respectively on Thursday had been cancelled, with SAA saying it was sticking to its latest pay offer.

Uasa is demanding an 8% increase while SAA has offered 5%.

The Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) said on Friday it had been approached to intervene, in terms of Section 150 of the Labour Relations Act.

Conciliator Mahomed Rajah was on standby for this purpose, CCMA spokesperson Lusanda Myoli said.

Transport and Allied Workers Union spokesperson Ronnie Mamba confirmed the union had been approached by the CCMA and were considering its response.

Meanwhile, the strike, which has seen 31 domestic flights and 12 international flights cancelled, would continue.

These included Nairobi, Sao Paulo, Harare, Windhoek, Victoria Falls and two flights to Lagos. The next flight update was expected around lunch time.

A group of about 500 union members were also picketing outside SAA headquarters.

SAA passengers have been advised to make alternative travel arrangements.

Passengers could phone SAA's call centre on 011-978-2888 or 011-978-1111 for updated information.

Neither the department of labour nor SAA were immediately available to comment on the latest development.

[Seaton Approach]

Can you tell me please guys,

Is it possible that there might be more industrial action from SAA in the next couple of weeks?

Missus is planning to go JNB-DUR on a ZED fare early Aug and I'm wondering whether just to play safe and go for a full-fare ticket with Kulula instead....

Any info greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
SA! :ok:

[Antman]

Seaton A

BA/Comair should pick up the ZED ticket,just change your wife's listing to them

[Goldfish Jack]

I must say it certainly is very quiet not having the national (?) carrier around.

The only flights so far today are international arrivals not affected as the staff want to come home and toi toi as well!. Looks like no SAA flts are sched to leave FACT today, excluding possibly one or two positioning flights and freight ones.

Heard that SAA bought all spare capacity on CAW, RNX and NTW and are trying to move their pax via those 3 airlines. CAW and NTW have been ops a few extra flts to try and cope, but they are limited by crew duty times and avail of stby/extra aircraft. EXY also ops 6 x extra flts today (Sat) with 1 x DC9 from EAS and 1 x F28 from AQU, on the FACT - FAJS route.

Looks like the strike will continue for most of the weekend and we should hear more news by late Sun/early Mon.

[Exhaust Manifold]

I heard from an SAA boy that some of the pilots are going on strike next week. Something to do with the managers being p:mad: ks

[Seaton Approach]

Thanks Antman - top suggestion!

Cheers,
SA. :ok:

[REAL ORCA]

Would be interesting to see how the strike is going to affect SAA’s market share in the domestic market in the long run. Spoke to some ex-SAA customers on a flight from CT. They were not impressed!!!!

[Goldfish Jack]

NO doubt the passengers were having a whale of a time...........

We thank you very much - your boss certainly seemed very cheerful yesterday morning!!!!!! Wonder why

Seems like the Comair crews deserve a big thanks from the flying public for coming to the party and ops all the extra flts.

Druk die groen knoppie..........die groen een...........

[Shrike200]

Nationwide crews/aircraft also stepped into the breach I believe, extra flights (with huge load factors!).

[B Sousa]

"Nationwide crews/aircraft also stepped into the breach I believe, extra flights (with huge load factors!)."

I think thats refered to as "yes we support your strike efforts as long as it does not hurt us"

[BAKELA]

Heard yesterday and today that SAA suspended and/or cancelled flights to 'the continent' and 'internationally' as well as some domestic flights. BTW, if you cross the border it's international ain't it...or does that one only work outside of Africa. :ooh:

I hope they (SAA) informed the International Air Services Council (as required by Act 60 of 1993) and the Air Services Licensing Council (as required by Act 115 of 1990) of their intentions (to suspend/cancel) or they might be in breach of the aforesaid Acts and the accompanying Regulations. Reminds me of a certain air service trying/hoping/dreaming to operate from Cape Town to London at one stage (with many less p:mad:ssed off pax than SAA).

What really p!sses me off is that at the end of the day we, the taxpayer, is going to pay, ONCE AGAIN, for this f:mad:up by SAA. Paying for hotels, other carriers, taxis, the SAA boss's trip on SA Airlink to Malelane while his 'management' 'handles' it. Like he cares? If you want to save money, don't fly SAA because you're paying double. You're paying taxes! Even the people that do not fly, pays SAA.

Remember the old story...four SAAF fighter jets (forgive me those that know) holding at the threshold and taking their time, with a chartered King Air 200 pilot behind them saying "Can you guys get a move on, I'm paying for my own fuel!" and then the reply from the lead fighter jet "Don't worry mate, you're paying for ours as well!".:E

[REAL ORCA]

As dit pap reën moet jy skep!!!
We thank you! :ok: :}

[BAKELA]

Vissie,

Soos ek dit ok gekên het!

Go boys Go! :ok:

S APP, Is it possible that there might be more industrial action from SAA in the next couple of weeks? Be glad there's any action from SAA. It's more than what we've seen here for years mate!

I also believe it is/was a grashopper strike. Typical SAA. Took them two days to get it going, then you don't know whether they're jumping, flying, or just f:mad:ing up your carefully laid out plans! Boggles the mind.

SAA = Seek Another Airline
SAL = Soek Ander Lugdiens (for the oldies & goldies)

Just thinking, does the scrambled eggs in SAA's hot breakfast on the early morning flights still smell like rotten mushrooms?

[Bravo Echo November]

Wonder if this wll not be the last nail in SAA's C.

Also hope for the people who are on strike that they still have a place to go to after the strike!

[Gunship]

So the boss is on holiday and the rest just do not care ... the loss (and strike) continues today :mad: Some of us need to go to work and the a$$ess are the only one's flying there ! :mad:

South African Airways suffered an estimated loss of R100m by Sunday after a nationwide strike grounded all SAA planes over the weekend.

The crippling strike by cabin and crew staff, which started on Friday, could possibly undo all efforts to cut costs over the past months.

A source within the SAA management said on Sunday the airline sacrificed an estimated R30m in lost income on Friday alone, and by Sunday, 250 flights had been cancelled.

These amounts exclude the millions of rands in compensation SAA has to fork out in terms of its policy to pay for accommodation and food for thousands of stranded passengers.

The airline operates about 170 flights per day. Of these, more than 72 had been cancelled on Friday, 100 on Saturday and 70 by lunchtime on Sunday.

On Friday, estimated losses on the country's busiest route between Johannesburg and Cape Town had already amounted to R4m, a reliable source told Beeld.

More than 4 000 passengers on this route had been affected by the strike.

In addition, bookings for this week are expected to be between 20% and 30% lower after ticket sales were suspended on Friday.

Adding to the costs, SAA has placed full page advertisements in several newspapers, including Beeld, to apologise to clients for the inconvenience caused by the strike.

In the ad - We are sorry - the airline describes the past few days as the most difficult in its recent history.

This follows after SAA chief executive Khaya Ngagula launched the Bambanani campaign in October 2004 to cut costs over the next 12 months by R1.6bn and to increase profits. :E

[Frogman1484]

Any guesses how long the SAA show will go on for? Are they trying to solve it or is it being ignored, hoping that it all goes away?

Any SAA guys want to add some insight in to what their management are doing to solve it.

Frogman

[Gunship]

An SAA contact advised that he thinks they want to go the Swiss Air way ... :E:E:E

Thousands of South African Airways (SAA) passengers are set to remain grounded as industrial action by the airline's cabin crew and ground staff enters its fourth day on Monday, with unions having rejected SAA's latest wage offer, reports I-Net Bridge.

I-Net Bridge quoted SAFM radio reports saying that the airline unions - the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) and the United Association of SA (Uasa) - have both rejected SAA's offer of a 5% across the board increase and a once-off payment of R1 600.

They are still demanding an 8% increase.

More Here ! (http://www.finance24.com/articles/default/display_article.asp?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-24_1743134)

[Bravo Echo November]

Think it is time for a new national carrier! Less top heavy and more streamline. Sure all the pilots there are good people doing a good job. Just a pity this has been run into the ground.

Close it down and start all over. This way they can cut out old wood. Or rather dead wood!

[Parrot]

So far the CEO seems rather low profile in this issue. Now exactly what % increase did the (mis)management get ?

[Gunship]

So SAA is going for arbitration ... wonder how long that will take ?

South African Airways and the two striking unions have decided to seek intervention from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration in the interest of a speedy resolution.

More at IOL

[Gunship]

Dis nou mooi ... dis nou f*kk*n mooi .... :mad:

Strike-hit South African Airways has cancelled all international flights, as the airline and two unions head for dispute resolution by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

SAA, the United Association of South Africa (Uasa) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) were due for talks at the CCMA on Tuesday, the fifth day of the crippling strike, SAA spokesperson Onkgopotse JJ Tabane confirmed on Tuesday morning.

Tabane said it was difficult to tell how many domestic flights would be cancelled or delayed as SAA was monitoring the situation hourly.

"We would suggest you arrive well before the flight, to see what is happening," Tabane said, adding that all international flights had been cancelled until further notice.

Full Report (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20050726102047371C724716)

[Gunship]

Economist Mike Schussler says the South African Airways strike is costing the airline more than R20-million a day and is also having an effect on the catering and hotel industries

More at IOL headlines ..

[Gunship]

Well the one breakthrough ... but now the pilot's may strike ? :hmm:

An agreement in principle has been drafted to resolve the dispute between South African Airways and striking unions, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration said on Wednesday.

"Significant progress has been made towards resolution of the dispute. An in principle agreement has been drafted, the contents of which cannot be disclosed at this stage." the CCMA said in a press statement.

The parties would convene at 09:00 on Thursday after consulting with their principals.

United Association of SA spokesperson Andre Venter said the union would recommend acceptance of the agreement. "Hopefully we will sign the agreement."

As an act of good faith, it was also hoped that members would return to their posts on Wednesday, he said. The proposal would be explained to members through delegates as well as through e-mail and SMS.

Full Report here (http://www.finance24.com/articles/default/display_article.asp?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-24_1744275)

[Gunship]

Game over ...

The United Association of South Africa (Uasa) said on Wednesday evening that it has just returned from a report back session to its members and that the majority of them want to accept the agreement reached with South African Airways.

According to Uasa the agreement means that employees will receive a 6% salary adjustment.

Uasa said: "The SA Airways (SAA) strike is over.

Back to work

"Our members are going back to their jobs, operations should be running smoothly again by Friday."

Full Report (http://www.finance24.com/articles/default/display_article.asp?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-24_1744628)

[Gunship]

The SA Airways pay strike was settled on Thursday, the airline and unions announced.

SAA boss Khaya Ngqula said: "Starting today, we are back in business."

The strike, which began last Friday, brought 75% of the airline's operations to a halt as workers pushed for an eight percent increase, against management's offer of 5%.

The final agreement provides for a 5% increase on wages, medical and housing benefits, plus a non-pensionable allowance worth 1% of each staffer's pay.

SA Transport and Allied Workers Union secretary general Randall Howard said: "We don't like the result, but it is a result we can live with."

Howard had spent much of the day in the parking lot of the SAA headquarters discussing the settlement with picketing workers, many of whom were divided over whether to accept a settlement or continue striking.

Tempers rose at times with one picketer saying, "I am going back to work and I am not ashamed to say it in front of all of you."

United Association of SA (Uasa) spokesperson Andre Venter said members had already started returning to work and hoped that services would be back to normal by Friday.

He said Uasa was not happy with the offer, but had to make a choice.

"It was more worth it in the sense that we proved that SAA is not as omnipotent as they think they are."

As picketers folded up their camping chairs to go home, one woman said: "This has been a waste of a week."

At a later press conference to announce acceptance by all parties of the agreement, Howard said the strike had been "bruising", but historic.

"I don't think anybody thought it would last for seven days."

Ngqula refused to discuss the cost of the strike, estimated by economist Mike Schussler to have been around R25m a day.

Ngqula said: "The cost to the airline - we are not going to tell you. It is simple. Because of competition."

The agreement came on the same day that the airline was ordered to pay a R45m fine by the competition tribunal for operating incentive schemes for travel agents, in breach of the Competition Act.

He said the biggest loss had been the effect on the company's loyal regulars. :ok::ok::ok: (Bye bye forever) :ok::ok:

"The biggest challenge is to remove that pain, and make people rely on us." :E

He said that structures would be put in place to address grievances raised during the negotiations.

A pay dispute remains for the airline - the SAA Pilots Association says it has "managerial and contractual issues" and is in arbitration over the matter.

It did not participate in the latest strike, but supported it.

[james ozzie]

My simple sums say if the strikers were out of work for 6 days they lost 1.6% of their annual pay. The dispute appears to be for a difference between 5% & 8%, so just by being on strike, they lost half their perceived win!

A similar thing happened some years ago at VW but they went a step better- they lost all their award in striking! Or am i missing something here? IR experts advise please.

[ByAirMail]

Ngqula said: "The cost to the airline - we are not going to tell you. It is simple. Because of competition."

WRONG. As a tax payer I want to know how much I am in for. I don't pay for the competition, so I can't care what they know / do.

[Gunship]

Now the back log really started ... just had a mail from a friend coming down from the UK.

He is a Saffer working in the UK (and bought his ticket a month ago - Freq Flyer - Gold Platinum / Business class type :

The converstaion went like this :

" Sorry Mr ... we know you are a confirmed business class booking but that is wht you have to check 24 hrs before the time.

We first take all the backlogs of South Africans that originated their flights in SA and paid in rand, then we will get to you.

A month in advance - his wife kids are all here waiting for him to arrive tomorrow night :mad:

Just phoned : same thing for me to Acc - maybe next Wednesday !

Heated language binned

[PAXboy]

so just by being on strike, they lost half their perceived win! Indeed. Our trade unions in the UK learnt this lesson in the 1970s and many thre the whole gain away "to establish the principal". I would not wish to say what that principal was ...

How unfortunate that your unions have to learn these lessons all over again.

[AfricanQueen]

And to add insult to injury, the taxpayer now has to fork out R45m for the fine imposed by the Competition Tribunal!!

[rolandpull]

Heathrow has got people (1500+ i'm told) in hotels for 2/3/4 nights. Disrupting booked passengers whos flights have arrived at lhr and putting them in hotels. Seems to be a compounding problem, put 3 flights (2xJNB 1 x Cape Town) worth (1000)into hotels for a couple of nights and fly out 3 flights worth of delayed passengers. Net result, weeks to clear the back log and increase the work of the administrators in dealing with all the claims. Nice plan?



seems they have a jet parked up tonight going no where at LHR ?

[Gunship]

Alec Erwin, the minister of public enterprises, insists that Khaya Ngqula, the South African Airways (SAA) chief executive, is not being protected despite allegations of arrogance and the airline's much-criticised handling of last week's strike.

"Management handled the strike correctly and did not engage in a press war," he said on Friday. The strike, which lasted nearly a week and left thousands of passengers stranded, ended on Thursday with the signing of a six-percent pay deal.

"I would not have accepted it if [SAA's management] had accepted eight percent," said Erwin.

"Khaya told a press briefing there were problems and SAA management was prepared to work with the unions to resolve them," he added.

Both management and union leaders showed good maturity in resolving the strike, but now we've got to address the concerns of pilots; it would not be wise for them to strike," he said.

He said Ngqula had done a good job at SAA turning the airline around within a year to profitability. "SAA recorded its largest profit ever... Very few people would have turned the airline around from a disaster in one year to profitability in the next."

Regarding recent allegations in the media about Ngqula's use of a helicopter for travel around Gauteng and his exorbitant bills while staying in luxury hotels abroad, Erwin said: "Khaya was cleared by the board of any wrongdoing; he was not guilty; he's done nothing wrong and is not being protected."

The minister said the strike "was no disaster for the economy", although it would have created inconvenience and disruptions for thousands of travellers.

He said the government wanted SAA to remain a good airline and operate within a level of reasonable profit. :E


Full Report (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20050731095114655C177842)

[EDDNHopper]

james ozzie,
they lost all their award in striking! Or am i missing something here?

I´ve have no idea about South Africa, but in Germany part of the lost income will, in many cases, be compensated by the trade unions paying "strike pay" to their members.

[Gunship]

From IOL :

South African Airways now has to ferry about 2 000 extra passengers from London over the next few days as a result of last week's strike.

Sarah Uys, acting head of external communications at the airline, said that by Saturday there were still about 2 000 passengers stuck in London and that this was SAA's "biggest problem".

Three flights from London were set to arrive on Monday morning. Two were due in Johannesburg and the other in Cape Town.

Uys said one of these flights, the first of its kind, was accommodating passengers who had been stranded.
.........................

Meanwhile, Onkgopotse Tabane, SAA's general manager of communications and customer services, said: "We remain resolved to normalise our flight schedule and to win our passengers back. :E Our recovery plan over the next few days will ensure that all stranded passengers can be brought home soon."

Full Report Here (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20050801101018167C273182)

[Gunship]

A friend told me last night at the Wine Festival that he was stranded in Jhb and he and his partner was taken to the Sandton Towers for the night.

His room was R2,5k and his partner's R3,5k.

They had crayfish and all the most expensive stuff on the menu including ALL drinks ... he said he was so pi$$ed the next morning he can not remember what he signed for but it was a lot and he remembered hiding his credit card in case he let them swipe it.

I just wonder what the REAL loss is / was ...

2 000 stranded in the UK ... eischhh ... :E