Airport services of Kulula and British Airways could face disruptions as emplyees of Comair, which services these airlines, are to embark on a strike on Thursday, 14 April 2016.
About 700 Employees, mostly represented by trade Union UASA, are expected to down tools after wage negotiations with Comair failed, UASA secured a strike certificate over a week ago but did not give the required 48 hour notice to the employers. These displeased workers, who already felt employers, where not negotiating in good faith by presenting a 'ridiculous" offer.
The loomin strike is likely to cause disruptions and inconvenience to passengers, services such as the sale of tickets, processing of bags and ramping of aircraft (weighing of the plane for balance) could be affected. Comair processes passengers to Cape Town, Durban and OR Tambo International Airport. Late yesterday afternoon Comair said it had a contingency plan prepared but had not received the 48-hour notice from the Union.
"We unfortunately do not have insight into the scale fo the airport staff's industrial action, nor the extent of the disruptions, if any, should they go ahead", said Susan van der Ryst, corporate communications manager at Comair. "Comair has extensive contingency plans in place, dealing with various potential scenarios".
Workers at OR Tambo said they were prepared to strike. Employees said services at OR Tambo Airport in particular, would be affected as Comair could not bring in Temporary workers to carry out specialised jobs.
