Relief as Kulula strike is averted
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and Comair have managed to avert a strike during the busy festive season.
This follows threats of a wage strike by the union if the company did not heed workers' demands.
Comair operates British Airways and Kulula in South Africa.
The two parties met with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Tuesday in an attempt to reach an agreement.
Numsa's spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says the two parties have signed an agreement on the wage gaps between white and African workers who perform the same tasks.
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"We have signed an agreement with the company in relation to this and other issues. A working committee has been set up to deal decisively with wage discrepancies and shift patterns and as Numsa we will be represented on that committee. We will meet on the 8th and 9th of January to deal decisively with those issues," Hlubi-Majola says.
She says Comair will also provide information of every worker in the bargaining unit.
"Which will specify race, gender, and all the relevant information in order that we may be in a position to rectify and correct the wage discrepancy of affected workers."
Hlubi-Majola says a mediation has been scheduled for January at the CCMA to discuss the dispute over wages and other demands.
Comair director Wrenelle Stander says the company is happy that customers will not be inconvenienced during the festive season.
"Comair and Numsa have worked hard with the CCMA's guidance to find agreement on the way forward. While Comair respects the right of employees to strike, we are pleased that we have made sufficient progress on outstanding matters. We look forward to the next meeting with the CCMA scheduled for the Friday, 11 January 2019, where salary increases will be discussed."