Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan will meet unions striking at South African Airways on Tuesday in an effort to resolve a strike over wages at the embattled airline that has entered its fifth day.
State-owned SAA has cancelled hundreds of flights since the strike began on Friday, saying the stoppage is costing R50-million per day and jeopardising talks with lenders.
Irvin Jim, General Secretary for the National Union for Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), which called the strike alongside the South African Cabin Crew Association (Sacca), said the unions would meet with Gordhan on Tuesday to discuss the strike.
Sacca’s deputy president Christopher Shabangu also confirmed the meeting saying it was “trying to find a solution to ending the strike”.
The strike has cast doubt on the survival of the airline, which hasn’t turned a profit since 2011 and is reliant on state bailouts.
SAA said on Monday its international flights were operating on schedule while some domestic passengers would face more cancellations on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The unions have also threatened to shut down the entire aviation industry in Africa’s most industrialized nation by extending industrial action beyond state-run airline.
SAA is expected to give updates on the strike on Tuesday.
In other news – Former Skeem Saam actress Pearl Nikolic is expecting
2019 is truly the year of celebrity pregnancies in South Africa. Local stars conceal their baby bumps until the very last minute in a dramatic reveal. Former Skeem Saam actress Pearl Nikolic is the latest star to join the long list. Pearl, who is known for her role as Sonti on the hit SABC 1 show revealed her pregnancy this Saturday.
The star who was in the Maldives shared gorgeous pictures of herself at the beach in a luxury resort. The beautiful mother-to-be showed off her baby bump in the stunning location. continue reading
Source: Reuters
