Moses Mackay
19 January 2004
POLICE officials outnumbered strikers at Cape Town International Airport today in a bid to head off a Cosatu blockade of the airport entrance.
SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) shop steward Sydney Matomela said workers vowed to continue until their demands were met and the blockades would take place for an hour every day.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) wanted to block off the airport in support of Satawu, whose members have been on strike since December 18.
Striking workers arrived at the airport at 5.30am to find that police had created a control point before the entrance to the airport to warn motorists of the strikers' presence.
About 60 Satawu and Cosatu members toyi-toyied, sang freedom songs, waved placards and were set to disperse at 11.30am.
Western Cape police spokesman Captain Rod Beer said police officers were deployed early today to monitor the situation and traffic on the N2 was not disrupted.
Officers were also parked near the N2 to ensure motorists' safety.
City Police helped to direct traffic flow on to the N2.
Traffic officers from the Tygerberg and Cape Town depots were deployed along Borcherd's Quarry Road and on top of the bridge leading to the industrial area.
Ernest Scheepers, the Satawu shop steward, said the strike would continue because baggage handling company Equity Aviation Services was not prepared to resolve the matter.
The strikers downed tools on December 18 after months of wage negotiations. The union is demanding an 8% salary increase, while Equity Aviation Services is offering 6%.
Provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich said Cosatu had decided to take action because of management's refusal to negotiate in good faith for nearly a month and Cosatu would remain available to help resolve the dispute.
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