Members of the South African Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) have gathered in crowds for their strike against SAA today.
Following an unsuccessful agreement on employee terms at a scheduled meeting on Thursday afternoon, the strike is now regarded unprotected.
SAA applied a “no-work-no-pay” policy to all employees starting today.
“Employees participating in the strike will not be permitted back to work until the strike is over and those who report for duty, will be allowed to work,” says Martin Kemp, Acting SAA General Manager for Human Resources.
Passengers are advised to follow SAA’s re-accommodation travel policy to exercise their rights when flights are cancelled. The airline also requested that customers refrain from travelling to their departure airports unless in possession of a rebooked itinerary.
Acsa eases airport chaos fears
It is business as usual for all non-SAA flights, according to a statement from Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).
Indications from airports run by Acsa around the country early on Friday morning show ‘that airports are operating at close to normal levels in terms of scheduled arrivals and departures of non-SAA flights’.
Airport disruptions and the impact of the strike by airline employees have been kept to a minimum, due to business continuity plans and constant interaction with SAA and other airlines.
The issued statement went on to inform pax that “affected airports have designated picketing areas that will be managed by airport security in collaboration with the SAPS and local metro police”.
Last updated 11h50
SAA spokesperson, Tlali Tlali, has confirmed that there is a scheduled meeting with labour unions at 14h00 today, where SAA will table a new wage offer.
Last updated 13h30.
South African Airways (SAA) has cancelled nearly all domestic, regional and international flights scheduled for November 15 and 16.
The cancellations follow an announcement by the South African Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) that their members will embark on industrial action from Friday morning.
“Unless alternative arrangements are in place, customers are requested not to go to their departure airports during the disruption as SAA will be unable to provide any assistance. Information on the status of our flights will be regularly updated on our website,” said Tlali.
Only flights operated by SAA will be affected. All flights operated on partner airlines, including SA Express, Mango, SA Airlink and all codeshare partners, including flights operated by Star Alliance partner airlines, as well as Comair, will operate as normal.
Regional flights, which will operate on the morning of Friday, November 15, will return from Maputo (SA147), Lusaka (SA067), Harare (SA025), Windhoek (SA073), and Accra (SA210).
International flights, which will operate on the evening of Friday, November 15, will return from Frankfurt (SA261), New York (SA204), Munich (SA265), Hong Kong (SA287), Perth (SA281), and London (SA235).
The airline says that customers will be kept informed of all operational developments on a daily basis.
Tlali stated that, during the negotiations with the unions, SAA presented a revised offer for employees delivering a 5.9% increase subject to the availability of funds from lenders. Numsa and Sacca are demanding an 8% increase.
National Transport Movement (NTM) has not stated whether their members will embark on a strike or not.
Assistance will be provided to all ticketed customers holding a South African Airway is Ticket (only) through any SAA Contact Centre, City Ticket Office or dedicated Travel Agent with the following conditions:
- Rebook onto another South African Airways flight for any flight until 31st October 2020 at no extra charge and subject to availability in the same booking class
- If the customer no longer wishes to travel, then the booking can be cancelled and a full refund (including taxes) will be offered to the original form of payment.
- Re-routing would be permitted, Where possible rebook onto flight(s) operated by any of SAA’s Star Alliance, Codeshare and Interline Partners to transport customers to their final destination with minimal disruption.
- Change of cabin will not be permitted
- All tickets must be reissued on or before 30th November 2019.
- SAA will not be able to provide any support for Special Service Requests or Unaccompanied Minors during this period of Industrial Action
