KZN weather rains on SAA unions' strike parade

Workers at South African Airways (SAA) are on an indefinite strike for higher wages and against planned retrenchments at the national carrier.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South African Cabin Crew Association say more than 3 000 of their members are taking part in the industrial action.

SAA has had to cancel more than 200 domestic, regional and international flights on Friday and Saturday.

READ: SAA grounds its domestic, international flights ahead of strike

KZN NUMSA official, Elton Gordon said: "The reason why there is no physical picketing action is because at this specific airport, the picketing site is the R102, it is quite a distance away from the airport and due to the bad weather predictions our members have taken a conscious decision that they are not going to come in." 

"I can confirm that should the strike not be resolved through negotiations, the picketing will continue and we will find out members at the R102 area," he said. 

The airline asked travellers who had flights booked not to show up at airports.

It says it's offered to help passengers rebook for free or make arrangements to fly on other flights operated by partner airlines.

SAA passenger, Goetz Nagel from Germany says he has been stuck in the country due to stormy weather.

Speaking to Newswatch at at the airport he said he had struggled to book a new flight because of the strike.

"Well this morning I didn't get any information. I tried to contact the airport and SAA, I didn't know what happened."

"Then we heard the thunderstorm, so I called my German agent and then he gave me information. He said the SAA flights are cancelled, so they booked me into the Express flight, so I have a chance to depart there," he said.