SAA tech strike continues

The strike by SA Airways Technical (SAAT) staff members affiliated to the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union will continue, Satawu said on Monday.

   

Engineers and technicians would continue picketing outside SAAT premises in Kempton Park, calling for a double digit increase, general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu said.

   

"We will be meeting with the Commission of Conciliation,Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) today [Monday] to see if we [Satawu and SAA] cannot continue negotiating under mediation."

  

Last week, SAA cancelled pay talks with Satawu after members of the union "disregarded picketing rules and intensified unruly behaviour," SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali said in a statement.

   

Previously, Satawu said negotiations were taking place in a hostile environment as SAA management was arrogant.

   

Mahlangu said a court application by SAA to have the strikers removed outside the SAA premises was declared "frivolous".   

 

"Instead the court instructed them to provide striking workers with water and portable toilets."

   

Tlali could not be reached for comment on the court application.   

 

Trade union Solidarity and the Aviation Union of SA (Ausa) accepted a 6.5 percent wage increase deal, which Satawu was "not even considering".

   

On Friday, Solidarity feared strikes could get violent, after Satawu members allegedly set tyres alight during demonstrations.

   

SAA could not be reached for comment on Monday morning.

   

-Sapa