SAA strike start of battle between govt and unions - analyst
Political analyst Daniel Silke has cautioned South Africans to brace themselves for a battle between government and unions.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the SA Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) issued South African Airways (SAA) with a 48-hour strike notice on Wednesday.
The unions are set down tools on Friday following the cash-strapped airline announced that it is set to retrench some 900 workers at it battles to keep afloat.
Silke says the strike is just the beginning of the battle over the restructuring of state-owned enterprises.
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"The first salvos is to cut the wage bill and we know that the wage bill in South Africa is too high and therefore something's got to give.
"We can't afford to pay wages to workers who may not necessarily be needed in the current format of SAA and in a sense that's where the rubber hits the road.”
Silke says the restructuring of the SOE's will leave a bitter taste all round.
"And that is job losses for South Africans and of course the knock-on effect for their families in an economic environment that has few alternatives offered to them.
"It's a politically risky strategy from government, perhaps one that's long overdue, but I think the country should brace itself for what will be a protracted battle between government and unions."