Contingency plans in place for looming British Airways, Kulula strike

This follows threats of a wage strike the by National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) if the company does not heed workers’ demands. 

Comair operates and manages British Airways and Kulula Airlines in the country.

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Comair director Wrenelle Stander says the situation with Numsa is not ideal.

"Our number priority is the safety and security of our employees and customers."

Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says the union is the only recognised union under airport bargaining unit with 389 members.

"If we go on strike it will have an impact nationally and it'll have an impact on all their services because we represent the majority of workers."

Hlubi-Majola says they are demanding equal pay between black and white workers doing the exact same job.

"There is an issue around wage discrepancies around white worker and African workers and British airways is refusing to deal with this problem. We've got workers doing the same work, working in the same department, same division but the one is earning more purely because he or she is white. Now that's just racism and apartheid.

"It's wrong. It's immoral and it's unjustified that in this day and age Comair has such a tactic in the workplace."

The demands also include a guaranteed 13th cheque.

"We intend for the strike to start next week Thursday. However, the airline has requested CCMA mediation under section 150. We will be meeting with management under the auspices of CCMA on Tuesday," Hlubi Majola says.