The African National Congress on Wednesday urged the two parties involved in the nationwide baggage handlers strike to return to the negotiating table.
The countrywide strike by South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) members from Equity Aviation Services — a baggage handling company — is in its 20th day.
ANC spokesperson Steyn Speed said in a statement: ”The ANC urges the parties — in the interests of the company and the workers — to return to the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration [CCMA] to once again seek a resolution to the main issues of dispute.”
Satawu spokesperson Evan Abrahamse said he welcomed the ANC’s comments, but at the moment no talks are taking place.
”We are willing to talk to try to resolve it, as we have been attempting to resolve the strike. But at the moment we are dealing with a number of other issues,” he said.
He said these issues include the alleged dismissal of some striking workers by Equity Aviation Services and the arrest of three Satawu striking members at Johannesburg International airport on Wednesday.
”I don’t have details of the charges yet, but it could be alleged intimidation,” said Abrahamse.
The two parties were in talks at the CCMA on Friday, but ”they were a failure”, he said.
Some of the matters in dispute are working hours and salary increases.
Abrahamse said the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has pledged its support for the strike.
On Saturday senior officials from Cosatu and Satawu will address workers at the Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth airports.
The Solidarity union has also come out in support of Satawu and has asked its members to stop performing the duties of Satawu’s striking members.
Spokesperson Dirk Hermann said: ”Solidarity represents approximately 40% of the supervisors who currently handle passengers’ baggage while Satawu members are on strike.
”The strike is causing widespread disruption in baggage handling at the Johannesburg and Cape Town airports. Should Solidarity members stop performing the duties of the striking workers, more disruption will be caused to the baggage systems.”
Hermann said Solidarity opposes Equity Aviation Services’ employment of temporary workers during the strike.
”Equity Aviation Services is merely attempting to find a short-term solution to the problem. At issue here is not just a wage dispute, but a problem with human resources management,” said Hermann.
The spokesperson for Equity Aviation Services was not immediately available for comment. — Sapa