As a NUMSA strike at aviation services company, Menzies Aviation, enters its third day at five of South Africa’s airports, the company is hopeful that a new offer could bring an end to the industrial action.
Spokesperson for the trade union, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola confirmed yesterday (Tuesday, July 16) that the strike was still ongoing at the airports of OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, King Shaka International in Durban, Cape Town International, King Phalo in East London, and Chief Dawid Stuurman in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Charles Wyley, EVP Middle East, Africa & Asia, Menzies Aviation, said in an emailed statement to Travel News: “We can confirm we are in discussion with NUMSA, and a new offer is under review. We await feedback from the union and continue to be committed to seeking a resolution which is workable for both the business and our employees.”
He added that Menzies’ contingency planning would ensure that airline partners and passengers were not disrupted. “Currently all our customer flights are operating as per their published schedules with minimal impact,” said Wyley.
NUMSA is the largest metal worker trade union in South Africa and workers embarked on the strike to address Menzies Aviation management’s refusal to convert workers on permanent hourly pay to permanent monthly pay.
“This situation has a negative impact on workers because if you are on hourly pay, it means you can never be sick. Workers are paid for the hours they work and if they are sick or on leave for any reason, they do not get paid,” said NUMSA General Secretary, Irvin Jim.
Hlubi-Majola said the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) had now stepped in as well. “They want us to participate in mediation, and NUMSA has agreed to participate in that mediation. I will communicate the dates once I have them, in terms of when we're going to meet with the employer, ourselves and CCMA.”
Travel News is still awaiting official comment from Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), but Business Day cited an official as stating: “Acsa airport management continues to monitor developments through regular updates from Menzies to ensure that the strike has as little impact as possible on airport operations. However, at present, we can confirm that there are no disruptions to operations across all airports.”
Wyley also noted that Menzies was working closely with Acsa to ensure minimal disruption.
Not all airlines are affected by the strike, except Menzies’ local and international airline clients who have contracted the aviation company to provide fuel and ground-handling services.
The company also provides passenger check-in services for, amongst others, FlySafair, Qatar Airways, Qantas and Cathay Pacific.
