S. Africa National Airline Staff Go on Strike
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Hundreds of aircraft maintenance technicians with South Africa's national airline have put down their tools in the latest strike to hit the country, according to a union official.
About 1,300 technicians who repair and service aircraft at the SAA and are also used by other domestic and international carriers, including British Airways and Qantas, were involved in Monday's strike.
"Our members are striking for a double-digit salary increase of 12 percent," Vincent Masoga, spokesman for the South African Transport and Allied Union (SATAWU), told AFP on Monday.
"There are pickets going on near the airport right now."
He said some members were picketing at OR Tambo International Airport, which would possibly affect operations of domestic and international flights that are contracted with SAA’s technical operations, the City Press newspaper reported.
There was no immediate comment from South African Airways (SAA).
Tlali Tlali, SAA spokesperson, said as far as he knew, numerous flights had taken off and landed at the airport, according to City Press.
"It's a bit early to tell if operations could be severely affected, but we have contingency plans in place," Tlali said.
He declined to comment on the wage negotiations, but maintained that it was a transparent process between the unions and the employer.
