POLOKWANE – According to a statement released on Tuesday by SAA, the airline advised its customers and stakeholders that it had been served with a notice of intention to embark on industrial action by the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA).
The union is demanding a $170 (about R2 200) a day meal allowance when travelling overseas.
Crew members are currently given $131 (about R1 711), which the union says hasn’t increased in the last six years.
The airline says it is doing everything to find common ground and they have advised customers to visit its website www.flysaa.com for regular updates on all flight schedules.
Cabin crew are currently outside Airways Park in Johannesburg.
#SAAstrike jovial cabin crew members gathered outside SAA HQ with the hopes of getting their meal allowance increased @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/rrqtsWdRU3
— Lindi masinga (@IamSwazi) April 26, 2017
Placards carried by cabin crew members picketing outside SAA's Airways Park #SAAstrike pic.twitter.com/TzcEC9aWle
— Sikelelwa Geya Mdingi (@SikiGeyaMdingi) April 26, 2017
#SAAstrike 4 flights have been cancelled and 2 delayed. Union:strike will continue till an agreement is met with management @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/cK6vx8PMiw
— Lindi masinga (@IamSwazi) April 26, 2017
Twitter users have also joined in on the conversation by adding their own humorous twists to the strike following reports of a DJ seen along the picket line.
#SAAstrike and they spice it up with a dj pic.twitter.com/BIPWhk8Mee
— Simon_Pela (@simon_pela) April 26, 2017
If you're striking and protesting with out a Dj we are nolonger Coming… #SAAstrike has showed us leadership on this striking game pic.twitter.com/mlk4LsBX1S
— Cruise Queen|????Mak_G Darasimi????????❤ (@Da_MaK_G) April 26, 2017
#SAAstrike striking has reached new levels they even have a DJ pic.twitter.com/vk1HWVk1pW
— K_O_K_I (@kokififty5) April 26, 2017
I Hear there Is a DJ At The #SAAStrike ????????????????
— Rex The Gemini (@Rex_The_Gemini) April 26, 2017
So far, six domestic SAA flights have been cancelled this morning and eight flights have been delayed as the airline’s cabin crew members embarked on the strike.