update news: Update: SAA strike

"28 Wed, Aug 2013 Contingency plans by SAA and its maintenance subsidiary South African Airways Technical (SAAT) have proven to be effective with minimal disruption, according to a statement by the airline.The statement further refutes claims by SATAWU, that its industrial action at SAAT has paralysed operations. “SAA operations continue to operate with minimal disruptions, a fact which can be independently verified,” said Tlali Tlali, executive: group corporate affairs“It is unfortunate that SATAWU continues to propagate exaggerated and unfounded claims. A case in point was a delay of a flight between Johannesburg and Beijing which was as a result of the requisite replacement of a faulty component. The said delay and the period it took to attend to the aircraft would have been the same, with or without the industrial action,” Tlali said.SAAT further wishes to renounce the claims by SATAWU that the company has assigned uncertified engineers to work on aircraft. This is utterly deceitful as the company conducts its business in line with international and local regulatory prescripts. SAAT and SAA would under no circumstances deploy its personnel, or any contractor to work on matters that they are unqualified, or uncertified for. The SAA Group of companies puts the safety of customers and crew above anything else. SAA Technical met with labour representatives yesterday afternoon and tabled an improved and credible offer. The consensus from the meeting was that the unions would seek a fresh mandate from its members on whether to accept or reject the tabled offer. It is thus regrettable that SATAWU has insinuated that they would revert back to their initial demand of 12%. The SAA Group views this demand as unrealistic, especially given the current gloomy economic situation and the financial challenges that the company is grappling with. Throughout the negotiations, the company has been forthright with labour regarding what the company can afford. To this end SAA expects the unions to understand that the offer placed on the tabled is informed by what the company can afford based on the existing limited resources.The company is still hopeful that a speedy resolution to the current impasse can be found. Parties will continue with discussions later this afternoon. The airline and its subsidiary appeal to SATAWU to desist from intimidating those who are not supportive of their industrial action.The airline urges customers to check their flight status before going to the airport. The SAA Group will continue to keep customers and the public informed about developments around this matter.Jeanette Phillips" - http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/NewsDetails.aspx?newsId=69636
Source:http://shuttledirect.blogspot.com/2013/08/update-saa-strike.html

Update: SAA strike Images