About 700 members of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union have embarked on a wage strike at major airports around the country, the union said on Thursday.
”We will strike until our demands are met,” said Satawu aviation co-ordinator Evan Abrahamse.
He said Satawu members had started their strike at Johannesburg International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, and the Port Elizabeth and East London airports.
Satawu has, however, yet to confirm whether its members at the Durban International Airport have begun taking part in the strike.
Satawu is demanding an eight percent salary increase while Equity Aviation Services, a ramp and baggage handling firm, is offering a six percent pay rise.
The company said the strike followed months of difficult negotiations, including a number of rounds at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Equity Aviation Services spokesperson Herman Fleischman said the union demands were unreasonable and out of step with the market.
Executives and senior managers from Equity Aviation Services had cancelled their leave and would be working until the strike was resolved, he said.
”We want to give every tourist and traveller our assurance that we will minimise the impact of the strike. We feel very positive at this time.”
Abrahamse said managers from Equity Aviation Services had taken a hardline stance against the striking workers.
Equity, refusing to even give workers water, had served the union with a lockout notice effective from Friday, he said. – Sapa