Pretoria - South African Airways Technical (SAAT), the maintenance subsidiary of SAA, has concluded a wage deal with the Aviation Union of Southern Africa (AUSA).

This comes after workers downed tools on Monday. AUSA represents a large portion of engineers and technical staff at SAAT.

The deal, which was signed on Wednesday, means that SAAT and the airline will be able to continue with operations with minimal - if any - disruptions.

The wage agreement is for a period of one year. The settlement entails 6.5% on total cost to company; a 0.5% once-off payment and a further 1% increase for technicians flowing from the previous year’s wage agreement.

The company on Wednesday met with the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) with the hopes of reaching an agreement that would lead to their 752 members returning to their posts.

SAAT and Satawu are due to meet again today to continue with negotiations.

“The company reiterates its desire to have all employees back at their posts as soon as possible. Returning to work is also in the interest of the striking employees as the no-work no-pay principle applies. A strike for up to seven days could take employees years to recoup their lost remuneration and may never do so, depending on the settlement increase.”

SAA confirmed that out of the 47 departures out of OR Tambo International Airport, only two flights were delayed as a direct result of strike action.

The two flights were SA064 (Johannesburg to Lusaka) and SA559 (Johannesburg to Durban). The delays were for seven and 14 minutes respectively.

The national airline also confirmed that it has applied for an interdict which is meant to address unruly, intimidating and unlawful behaviour by Satawu members during picketing, which is contrary to the picketing rules and applicable laws.

“Contrary to assertions by Satawu, the interdict is not intended to stop the strike as this is a protected strike,” said the airline. – SAnews.gov.za

Thohoyandou - A bricklaying cooperative belonging to women near Thohoyandou in Limpopo has received a cash injection of R100 000 from government.

The Deputy Minister for the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, handed the cheque to the Gombani Bricks Primary Co-operative in Gombani village.

"I am pleased with what the women are doing to improve their lives through this project. They are doing things for themselves and improving their lives for the better. We want these women to make money themselves and be able to put food on their tables,” Bogopane-Zulu said.

The project started operating following a donation of a low cost hydraform machine from the Department of Public Works in 2011.

Bogopane-Zulu's department pledged the R100 000 donation after cellphone company MTN donated a similar amount to the project in December last year.

MTN Group representative Fusi Mokoena said: "As the MTN Group we realised that we need to help marginalised rural communities who have committed themselves to changing their own lives.”

Project leader Livhuwani Tshikosi said the project started with 12 women in 2011.

"Now we have 24 women in the project. To date we have built seven houses using the machine, which requires less cement," said Tshikosi.

The deputy minister also handed over a laptop to the project for their administration work and a brand new house to unemployed mother of three, Avhakholwi Ndou. The house was built with bricks made from the Gombani project.

“I’m happy with the house. Now life for me and my children will change for the better. Life was a nightmare when my children and I lived in the dilapidated mud hut," said Ndou. – SAnews.gov.za

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