Numsa to down tools at Comair

The trade union says this strike relates to wage disparities at the company, which operates Kulula and British Airways in South Africa.

The airline proposed that the high earners should be denied wage increases until the salaries of other workers catch up.

But the union maintains it cannot allow the violation of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value in the workplace.

"Numsa has been attempting to resolve this issue with Comair since late last year,” says the union’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola. “One of the decisions taken was that a working committee made up of Numsa members and Comair management would attempt to resolve this issue amicably.

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"We proposed that management must, over time, increase wages of those who are affected by the gap, so there can be uniformity in their salaries, because they are doing the same kind of work. We have had several meetings with the employer this year where the following proposal was made by us."

The airline's CEO Wrenelle Stander says contingency plans have been put in place.

"We will do everything possible to keep customers informed and minimise the impact of any strike action. We encourage customers to check-in online or at the self-service kiosks at the airports and to drop their bags at the bag-drop counter. Employees from across the business have volunteered to help limit possible disruption.

"We remain open to ongoing engagement with Numsa."