WAGE negotiations between Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), have reached a deadlock. Acsa claims that although considerable progress had been made to date in the 2003/4 wage negotiations, the parties have failed to reach an agreement. The sole area of the dispute at this stage is the basic wage increase. Satawu is demanding a 10% increase for its workers (R3 300 per month), while Acsa management has put an offer of 7,5% (R3 225 per month) on the table. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration has subsequently issued Satawu with a certificate granting members the right to embark on industrial action. The right excludes members covered by essential services legislation, including fire and rescue personnel. Satawu is however required to give Acsa 48-hours’ notice of its intention to embark on such action and as yet no notice has been received. Acsa has developed contingency plans at all its airports to ensure operations continue uninterrupted should Satawu opt for industrial action. Satawu’s Evan Abrahamse says the union is currently reporting the CCMA’s decision to its members, after which action will be taken. “If my reading of our members is correct, we are definitely on the way towards industrial action,” he said. (Natalia Thomson)
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