Namibia’s national airline is faced with a possible strike following a deadlock in wage negotiations with the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU).
Air Namibia yesterday alerted its passengers, suppliers, partners and stakeholders of possible flight and service disruptions if the union votes in favour of industrial action.
Workers at the company started the strike ballot last week Friday and continued throughout yesterday.
“After the ballot results become known the company will be given 48 hours’ notice informing them of the time and date when the strike will commence,” Likius Vilho, the Deputy General Secretary of NATAU, said yesterday.
The Head of Corporate Communications at Air Namibia, Paulus Nakawa, said if the strike goes ahead, the public should anticipate some unavoidable delays and a reduction in general service levels which Air Namibia will aim to minimise and manage. Nakawa said that Air Namibia granted a 6.4% across-the-board salary increase in May 2013 as part of its commitment to keep up with the cost of living.
According to Nakawa, the union rejected the increase as having been made unilaterally, declared a dispute with the Office of the Labour Commissioner and was issued a certificate of unresolved dispute on November 18 last year.
Several engagements have taken place, including mediation by the Ministry of Labour and Social Services, after which a proposal was made to NATAU that increases of 9% be given to employees in the A-band, 7.25% to the B-band and 7% to the C-band this year.
NATAU rejected this proposal, said Nakawa.
“This is most unfortunate because considering the recent salary increments offered by other State-owned enterprises and the market in general, and the challenging industry in which Air Namibia operates, we believe we made a reasonable offer to NATAU to address the concerns raised by employees,” said the Managing Director of Air Namibia, Theo Namases.
She continued, “We are satisfied that we have done everything in our power and within our financial constraints to avert the possible strike action by NATAU.
We are very aware of the negative impact of another strike on Air Namibia but we must however respect the democratic right of NATAU members to ballot.”
Vilho said the union has allowed Air Namibia ample time to reconsider the issuance of the certificate of unresolved dispute, but it is evident that the company does not consider the matter as a serious one.
“Our members are forced to take drastic action in an attempt for their pleas and demands to be heard by Air Namibia’s management.”
Air Namibia yesterday alerted its passengers, suppliers, partners and stakeholders of possible flight and service disruptions if the union votes in favour of industrial action.
Workers at the company started the strike ballot last week Friday and continued throughout yesterday.
“After the ballot results become known the company will be given 48 hours’ notice informing them of the time and date when the strike will commence,” Likius Vilho, the Deputy General Secretary of NATAU, said yesterday.
The Head of Corporate Communications at Air Namibia, Paulus Nakawa, said if the strike goes ahead, the public should anticipate some unavoidable delays and a reduction in general service levels which Air Namibia will aim to minimise and manage. Nakawa said that Air Namibia granted a 6.4% across-the-board salary increase in May 2013 as part of its commitment to keep up with the cost of living.
According to Nakawa, the union rejected the increase as having been made unilaterally, declared a dispute with the Office of the Labour Commissioner and was issued a certificate of unresolved dispute on November 18 last year.
Several engagements have taken place, including mediation by the Ministry of Labour and Social Services, after which a proposal was made to NATAU that increases of 9% be given to employees in the A-band, 7.25% to the B-band and 7% to the C-band this year.
NATAU rejected this proposal, said Nakawa.
“This is most unfortunate because considering the recent salary increments offered by other State-owned enterprises and the market in general, and the challenging industry in which Air Namibia operates, we believe we made a reasonable offer to NATAU to address the concerns raised by employees,” said the Managing Director of Air Namibia, Theo Namases.
She continued, “We are satisfied that we have done everything in our power and within our financial constraints to avert the possible strike action by NATAU.
We are very aware of the negative impact of another strike on Air Namibia but we must however respect the democratic right of NATAU members to ballot.”
Vilho said the union has allowed Air Namibia ample time to reconsider the issuance of the certificate of unresolved dispute, but it is evident that the company does not consider the matter as a serious one.
“Our members are forced to take drastic action in an attempt for their pleas and demands to be heard by Air Namibia’s management.”
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