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SAA condemns severe strike intimidation

Johannesburg - South African Airways Technical (Saat) has called off wage negotiation talks with the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) with immediate effect.

The decision to call off the negotiations is a result of the striking Satawu members’ disregard of the picketing rules and intensified unruly behaviour, according to a statement by SAA.

SAA’s group security department has 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 incidents.

Since Wednesday, 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 the SAA Technical entrance.

The group then staged a "drive slow" on Jones Road, which leads to the premises of SAA and SAA Technical.

Saat has successfully applied for an interdict which will strengthen the law enforcement agencies’ ability to deal 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," according to the SAA statement.

"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.

- Fin24

*Follow James-Brent Styan on Twitter at @jamesstyan.
 
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