South African Airways Technical (SAAT) has called off, with immediate effect, wage negotiations talks with SATAWU.

In a statement issued by SAAT it said the decision to call off the negotiations is a result of the striking SATAWU members’ disregard of the picketing rules and intensified unruly behaviour.

“Since yesterday, striking SATAWU members were involved in erratic acts of intimidation, trespassing and damage to property. Earlier today, close to 150 SATAWU members were picketing outside of the SAA Technical entrance. The group then decided to divert their aggression towards innocent members of the public by going on a ‘drive slow’ on Jones Road that leads to SAA and SAA Technical premises. Occasionally, the group would park their vehicles in the road thus negatively affecting traffic flow on Jones Road. This has had a temporary effect on the access to the two entities. Alternative access points have been arranged,” said SAA.

SAA’s Group Security department has also received reports of severe intimidation of passing motorists and alleged assault of members of the public and employees of the company. The company will take the necessary disciplinary steps in dealing with these incidences.

SAAT has successfully applied for an interdict which will strengthen the law enforcement agencies’ ability in dealing with any acts of criminality associated with the picketers.

“This behaviour by SATAWU protesters is unacceptable and SAAT management cannot continue to engage with the union until such time that the union ends disobedience of picketing rules. This disorderly behaviour, which is directed at innocent members of the public and employees of the company, is a clear act of desperation by SATAWU. The strike action has had no noticeable impact on SAAT and SAA’s operations. The contingency plans will continue to be in place in order to ensure minimal, if any, disruptions to airline’s operations. To date, SAA flight delays as a direct result of the strike have on average been three per day.”