Nationwide Airline officials were meeting leaders of the trade union Solidarity on Wednesday to avert a potentially costly strike, the company and union said.
”We believe that there will be a settlement,” said Peter Griffiths, the airline’s financial director, speaking before the 3pm meeting.
The union, which was preparing to go on strike on Friday, was demanding an 8% pay hike, while the airline was offering 4%.
The union had ”conveniently forgotten” that the airline had already paid 8% to cabin-crew members, Griffiths said.
Jaco Kleynhans, the union’s spokesperson, said he hoped the airline would come up with a better offer at the meeting.
”The strike, which will involve 90% of Nationwide’s cabin crew, is expected to paralyse the airline’s operations. Members of the trade union at the airline will come out on strike at 5pm on Friday,” Kleynhans said.
”We urge the company to make a serious effort to find ways of averting the strike. We are prepared to stay round the clock for a 24-hour negotiating session if we can prevent a strike. Unfortunately, this will only be possible if the company is able to let go of its original 4% wage offer,” Kleynhans said.
Solidarity also began a campaign on Wednesday to inform the public and travel agents about possible disruption resulting from the strike. — Sapa