Johannesburg - Operations at the domestic and international portals of both Kulula and British Airways ran smoothly on Thursday morning, despite workers downing tools in the face of ongoing wage negotiations.
Passengers checked in as usual on Thursday morning, with no indication the strike had affected operations.
Read: 'We are not happy with Comair at all'
Official and executives from the company were at check-in terminals to monitor proceedings.
Comair spokeswoman Monique Murphy said: “Comair’s operations are still running smoothly, despite members represented by the trade union, United Association of South Africa (Uasa), downing tools,” she said.
According to her, about 80 workers countrywide downed tools on Wednesday.
Murphy said the employees were granted permission to picket at its head office in Bonaero Park from Thursday.
“This morning 30 to 40 members arrived at head office,” she said.
However, she added: “Comair has implemented its contingency plans and thus far has a 95.6 percent (British Airways) and 98.3 percent (kulula.com) on-time performance, since the members downed tools yesterday afternoon.”
On Tuesday, Comair announced its ground staff were issued a certificate of non-resolution by the South African Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration, relating to the wage negotiations after the union declared a deadlock.
Uasa said their demands amounted to a 30-percent increase over a three-year period starting with 10 percent a year, comprising a consumer price index increase.
“This means the salary increase must be at the same rate of inflation, plus extra to allow for the extraordinary increase in cost of living as well as interest rate hikes,” the union said.
Comair is offering an equivalent 22.5 percent increase for the same period.
THE STAR