A strike by about 300 Express Air Services cargo workers entered its second day on Friday at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, their union said.
”The strike is continuing, but there is progress … we have another meeting at the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] scheduled for noon today [Friday],” said the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union’s national aviation coordinator, Kenneth Monnana.
”But if there is no agreement, we will be picketing at head office on Monday,” he added.
The dispute centres on a salary increase, 13th cheque and length of the wage agreement.
Monnana said their employer had revised its position and was currently offering workers an 11,4% increase and 50% of the 13th cheque in a one-year wage agreement.
However, if workers accepted a two-year agreement, then management would offer a 12% wage increase and 50% of the 13th cheque.
Workers had initially asked for a 13% raise while the employer offered 10%. They had asked for a full 13th cheque but had been offered only 50% of its value. Finally, workers wanted a one-year wage agreement, management a three-year deal.
”We believe we might reach an agreement today [Friday],” said Monnana.
Express Air Services was not immediately available for comment. — Sapa