A strike at South African Airways (SAA) has been called off, the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said on Friday.
General secretary Randall Howard said the 350 Satawu members who work at the technical division of SAA called off the strike after the company and union reached an agreement.
Workers went on strike on Friday morning after a dispute was declared at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration regarding working conditions at the technical division.
He said the company had made a commitment to transformation, using the Employment Equity Act and the Skills Development Act as a foundation.
”The company also agreed to reach a 50% representation in all designated group employees across all employment level and categories within the business as a minimum,” he said.
Under the agreement, a transformation committee will be formed to make recommendations on demographics, employment-equity targets and time-frames, including the appointment of a new management for major maintenance.
”Another important aspect of the agreement relates to training of craftsmen as technicians who are black employees and members of Satawu,” he said. ”This agreement lays the foundation to continue the struggle for transformation within SAA Technical and Satawu will remain vigilant to ensure that the gains made in this agreement are effected in real terms.” — Sapa