Despite reaching a deal with South African Airways (SA) on the terms of reference to be used for the verification of its membership numbers, South Africa's National Transport Movement trade union has maintained that it will continue to strike until the outcome of an arbitrator's report is published in mid February.
Members of the NTM have been on strike since January 18 over a lack of recognition (and therefore bargaining rights) for their union from the South African national carrier who disputed their official member count.
The verification process is being overseen by arbitrator The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration (CCMA) and began yesterday and is expected to last until February 14 following which, a final report will be issued.
“This development is a welcome move and a step in the right direction despite the fact that NTM regrettably advised they will not cease or suspend the strike during the verification process. However, they have agreed to call off the strike when the CCMA delivers its report regardless of the outcome,” SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali said.
Source [DefenseWeb]
Liver Mngomezulu, deputy secretary-general of the NTM, said the union was confident the report would show it had enough members.
The union — which split from the Congress of South African Trade Unions-affiliated South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union — has been fighting for recognition at SAA since late last year.