South Africa’s Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) is facing another major issue on top of finalising its audit of instrument approaches at certain airports. ATNS workers are currently threatening strike action over a wage dispute that could severely impact flights in and out of the country.

ATNS workers, represented by the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), are demanding a 6,5% salary increment across the board. ATNS has offered a 4,5% increase.

Satawu has referred the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Amanda Tshemese, National Head of Communications at Satawu, told Tourism Update the situation will be discussed today (Thursday, August 22).

Mphilo Dlamini, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at ATNS, told Tourism Update there was no strike or threat of a strike.

“The company is currently going through substantive wage negotiations with Satawu, which represents a section of our unionised employees. We would like to reiterate the fact that, by law, ATNS employees are not allowed to strike because we are an essential service company. As a result, there is no threat to air safety in South African aviation.”

However, Tshemese said it is not true that ATNS workers are not allowed to strike.

“They are allowed to strike as long as all the necessary procedures are followed legally. Workers will not back down and we want to highlight that, if it means we go on strike, so be it.

“There’s money but they are greedy and refusing to pay the real workers who are making billions of rands for this company. We hope that ATNS management will come to their sober senses.”

Kirby Gordon, CMO at FlySafair, said the airline is keeping a close eye on the negotiations.

“We are busy figuring out what contingency plans we can put in place depending on the wage dispute outcome,” Gordon said.