General workers at ORTIA hoping SAA strike leads to permanent employment

One man, who worked as a porter, said that all he wanted was a stable job.

OR Tambo International Aiport porters (in background), who depend on tips for helping out passengers, said there was not much business as a result of SAA flights cancellation on 15 November 2019. Picture: Sifiso Zulu/EWN

Sifiso Zulu | 1004 days ago

JOHANNESBURG - While South African Airways (SAA) dealt with the crisis involving its striking staff, general workers at OR Tambo International Airport were also asking to be permanently employed.

This was also one of the demands by unions, who want SAA to cancel millions of rands in contracts for services including security, cleaning and IT.

Fearing they might lose their jobs, workers who were not permanently employed have reported for duty.

While many employees have opted to stay away on the first day of the strike, some are here to provide skeleton services.

Meanwhile, long queues continue to form at SAA's check-in counters but they seemed to be managed well.

It was not clear when the strike would end.

#SAAStrike The queue for SAA check ins at OR Tambo is getting longer by the minute. SZ pic.twitter.com/4nXlzn62p6
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 15, 2019

#SAAStrike Queue at SAA check in counters at OR Tambo International is getting longer. SZ pic.twitter.com/x4UDoLR5sa
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 15, 2019