Catherine Sasman
29 September 2008
Windhoek — Namibia Airports Company (NAC) employees threatened to go on strike should their demands for market-related salary increases (which they pegged at 35 percent) not be met within five working days.
The workers gave the NAC CEO Vemunjengua Kavari until October 3 to give them feedback on their demands, which include back-pay from June 2003, a 20 percent interest on the back-pay until the end of August, and an immediate salary increment negotiation for this year and 2009.
"Do you know what the consequences will be on an airport and the cost involved? Prepare yourself for a scenario worse than that of Trans-Namib recently," the workers threatened.
Workers from Hosea Kutako International Airport, the Eros and Walvis Bay airports, as well as all regional airports, marched over lunch hour in the various towns.
"We are tired," said Leon Nel, a senior fire officer at Eros Airport. "We have not received any salary increases, we have given the management of NAC and our union time until August 25 to look into the matter, but nothing has happened."
Nel added that although the company uses the Patterson grading system, the NAC salaries are far less than those of municipal workers at the City of Windhoek.
"I think we are being paid less by as much as N$5 000 if compared with the municipal workers," Nel said.
The petitioning workers said a market-related increase would be 35 percent.
They said Kavari should resign and hand over the reins if he does not address their pleas. They also blame their union, the Namibia Public Workers' Union (NAPWU) and Kavari for not addressing their demand.
Public relations officer of NAC, Vicky Muranda, said the workers' demands are receiving priority with consultations between all stakeholders, which include the management of the NAC, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the union.
"We must also state that none of the airport operations have been affected by the demonstration," Muranda said.
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