The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union and Airports Company of South Africa reached a deadlock at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Gauteng on Friday.
In a statement Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said the only area of dispute was the basic wage increase.
Satawu was demanding an across-the-board increase of 10% on the basic pensionable salary. Acsa management was offering only 7,5%.
Satawu also wanted an increase in the minimum wage by a similar percentage. This would mean newly appointed employees would be paid R3 300 per month.
”Management’s offer stood at R3 225,” said Craven. Satawu would report back to its members this week. ”We intend to serve notice once this has been completed,” said Craven.
The certificate to strike was issued on a national basis. ”(It) therefore grants the right to strike at all airports in South Africa to all our members excepting those covered by essential services legislation (fire and rescue personnel) who will provide
solidarity support over their lunchtimes, breaks and time off,” he said.
The two parties did agree on various other issues at the CCMA:
the hourly rate for the night shift allowance;
that representatives of management and labour would facilitate transport and secure favourable rates at airports where there is a problem with the availability of transport;
that the current housing policy would be extended by another five years;
that employees who worked on Sundays would still earn a double time rate instead of having it reduced to a time and a half rate.
Principle agreement was reached regarding the signing of a national averaging/compressed working week agreement, and a draft agreement will be discussed.
On Friday, Acsa said it would put contingency measures in place should workers go on strike.
”Acsa has developed elaborate contingency plans at all its airports to ensure that operations continue uninterrupted,” said Solomon Makgale, a spokesperson for Acsa.
He said the measures included making available ”external resources” and introducing extended working hours for Acsa staff members who would not be part of the planned action.
”Acsa remains committed to continue working with labour representatives with a view of finding a speedy settlement to the dispute,” he said. – Sapa