Embattled SAA resorts to desperate measures

Transport analysts estimate that the airline has lost more than R100 million

South African Airways (SAA) has resorted to flying empty planes to fetch passengers stranded at international and regional airports because of the strike by United Association of SA (Uasa), and the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu).

The unions also claim that the airline is paying individual cabin crew members R6 000 each a flight to alleviate the crisis. Transport analysts estimated that the airline has lost more than R100 million as the strike clocks its fifth day. The unions want government to intervene and guide the parties to a speedy settlement.

A lot is expected when the parties meet at 2pm in talks mediated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The unions have rejected a revised SAA offer which would have seen them get a new medical aid package of R1600.

SAA has not moved on its original offer of 5% while the unions have stuck to the 8% wage demand. Phakiso Makhanye, the Satawu national chairperson, says the company has made losses which could be estimated at R100 million, while Phutas Tseki, the Cosatu Gauteng provincial chairperson, says the unity of the workers in relation to what has happened is very important.