A strike by workers at South African Airways has not affected the airline’s operations, it said on Sunday.
“As of mid-morning we have experienced no operational delays due to the strike and the airline’s flight schedule continues as normal,” said SAA group corporate affairs manager Robyn Chalmers in a statement.
“There were some delays experienced in the call centre earlier this morning, but SAA has deployed a contingency plan to ensure that these are dealt with,” she said.
Talks between the two parties were continuing.
Comment from Satawu was not immediately available.
Chalmers said on Saturday that the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union’s strike related primarily to the outsourcing of SAA’s Voyager and reservations call centre.
The union was also unhappy with changes to employment conditions, which it alleged SAA made unilaterally.
These include changes to post-retirement benefits, sick-day allocations, changes to sign-on times for cabin crew as well as roster changes allegedly used as a punitive measure for taking sick leave.
The union was also unhappy about the withdrawal of travelling benefits and a uniform allowance for cabin crew, as well as the introduction of “preventative suspensions” without pay.
Chalmers said Satawu referred a dispute about the alleged unilateral changes to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration this week.
“SAA has agreed with Satawu that in spite of the fact that some of the items listed above are not terms and conditions of employment, SAA will ensure there are no changes to any of these matters.
“The airline wishes to emphasise that it has never intended that the terms and conditions of employment of its staff would be unilaterally changed.”
Chalmers said SAA regarded the industrial action as unprotected.
“[SAA] has informed staff that should they participate in the strike, the airline may consider taking disciplinary action against them which may lead to dismissal.” – AFP