The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) was locked in a meeting with members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) in order to avert a protest by workers, the company said on Friday.
Spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said in a statement Satawu had decided to embark on a strike following a decision by SACAA to only pay ”bonuses at the end of the financial year, meaning workers will only get the money in March 2007”.
”Auditors appointed by the new board that took over in May 2005 found that the issue of paying bonuses was not based on any approved policy or formal process recognised by the organisation,” she said.
”This was communicated to unions during staff meetings but Satawu never attended the meetings.”
Gwebu said Satawu later decided to refer the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) following disagreements with SACAA management.
”After the two parties could not reach an agreement on the issue at the CCMA, Satawu decided to embark on a strike … despite management’s proposal that an independent arbitrator be appointed,” she said.
”We would like to reiterate that this offer is still on the table.”
Gwebu could not speculate on what the outcome of the management meeting with Satawu would be.
She said employees affiliated with other unions were proceeding with their work as usual.
Satawu spokesperson Azarius Mataboge could not be immediately reached for comment. — Sapa