The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has issued a statement on the planned Public Servants Association (PSA) strike which could disrupt normal operations from November 10, at borders, including at airports.

One airline, Qantas, is advising agents to warn passengers flying from Johannesburg on November 10, to arrive at the airport four hours before departure to allow additional time for passport control in case services are affected by the industrial action. The airline says Qantas check-in counters in Terminal B will be open from 12:30pm. This is recommended for clients flying on Qantas for both QF64 to Sydney and QF66 to Perth. 

The PSA is threatening to embark on a nationwide strike of unknown length from November 10. Whether or not this will take place and to what extent operations at the airport will be affected, is unknown.  The union has pointed out that there will be no Home Affairs personnel to allow arriving and departing international passengers to enter and exit borders due to the strike.

Acsa says it has contingency plans. In a statement from its Corporate Affairs division, Acsa said the Airport Joint Planning Committee (government and law enforcement agencies), had held a meeting to assess the potential impact on operations. “All entities have prepared their respective contingency plans to ensure adequate resourcing. Cape Town International Airport will remain on high alert and normal operations will continue.”

A statement from the PSA reads: “The PSA issued the Union’s strike notice on 24 October 2022 after a deadlock was reached in salary negotiations following government’s offer of a 3% increase and discontinuation of the cash gratuity after 31 March 2023. The PSA has demanded a revised offer of a 6,5% increase and the continuation of the cash gratuity beyond 31 March 2023.”

The PSA statement implies the strike will have a serious impact on Home Affairs, Transport, and Border Control.  PSA spokesperson, Reuben Maleka, told Newsroom Afrika that international arrivals and departures would find that these crucial services were not available at ports of entry, and that no officials from Home Affairs would be in service at the entry points.

The PSA claims to represent 235 000 members in the Public Service and says it has the support of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa).