The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) on Thursday denied that it has failed to respond to a request by the airports baggage handing company Equity Aviation Services to return to the negotiating table.
“We will go on record yet again to say that the management of [Equity Aviation] are making a habit of lying to the public and to their shareholders about the nature of the negotiations,” the union said in a statement.
The trade union stated that the facts are that with the agreement of both parties the Commission for Conciliatory, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has convened a facilitated negotiation meeting, which will take place on Friday at the CCMA offices in Johannesburg.
Baggage handlers employed by Equity Aviation at two of the country’s major airports — Johannesburg and Cape Town — have been on strike for more than two months.
Satawu contends that the dispute at Equity Aviation is over the company’s demand that workers accept an increase in working hours without compensation, as well as a number of variations in conditions.
Satawu is demanding an 8% wage increase and is also seeking a 40-hour work week for employees. The company is offering 6%.
The company has a total workforce of 1 500 and it is believed about 900 of those belong to Satawu.
“If [Equity Aviation’s] claim that they have invited Satawu to negotiations is an indication that they are willing to negotiate in good faith with a view to finding a settlement to the dispute, we of course welcome this. What [Equity Aviation] puts on the table tomorrow will indicate whether they are serious about reaching agreement or not.”
Meanwhile, the union said plans for various actions led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions in support of the strikers are continuing.
Marches on East London and Port Elizabeth airports are expected to take place on March 6. — I-Net Bridge