Satawu's SAA strike continues

"We and the employers have not found each other on the matter relating to increases," Satawu's general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu said.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration had informed him that it was once again willing to facilitate talks between the two sides.

"Both parties, however, have to consent to the process. So we need to wait and hear what the employer says. I am hopeful that the talks will be held tomorrow [Thursday 5 September]," said Mahlangu.

SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali said they were waiting for Satawu to come back to them.

"It is up to the trade union to consider the options at its disposal. Those options do not rule out a possibility of coming back to the table with a revised position," said Tlali.

Satawu has rejected the 6.5% SAA offered while Solidarity and the Aviation Union of SA (Ausa) have accepted the deal.

Tlali said the absence of Satawu's workers from duty had had minimal effect on the airline. He said other than a few delays, operations were running smoothly. He said workers who had still not reported for duty would face pay cuts.

"We are working on a no-work no-pay basis," said Tlali.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge