High-flying Comair faces pay strike

A strike is looming at Comair, where trade union Solidarity is demanding a 15% pay rise for cabin crew.

Comair, which operates the British Airways franchise in South Africa as well as low-cost carrier Kulula.com, is soaring above its competitors.

While South African Airways is mired in debt and wracked by political and management-level infighting, Comair manages to widen margins and drive an impressive profit.

Revenue for the airline holding company, which also provides ancillary travel services such as car rental and hotel bookings, has shot up.

Operating profit rose from R621-million in 2013 to R705-million last year, while earnings a share soared from 47c in 2013 to 58.4c.

Comair came from nowhere to take 77th spot on the Sunday Times Top 100 companies list in October.

The company would have returned R22748 to shareholders who had made an all-in investment of R10000 in 2009.

It is this success that has made Solidarity decide to push for an increase of more than double the inflation rate.

Derek Mans, Solidarity's trade union official for aviation, said the "ticket" (strike certificate) was issued on Thursday. Mans said staff "made the sacrifice" over the years, and should also reap the rewards.

Erik Venter, CEO of Comair, took home R5.8-million in 2012 and 2013.

Venter was on Friday relatively unconcerned about the possibility of a strike. "I don't think there is much support for a strike. This is a normal pressurising tactic," he said.

Venter said this wasn't the first time there had been union demands and strike threats, and a strike "hasn't actually happened".

However, should the "worst-case scenario" happen, said Venter, Comair had back-up staff who could pick up the slack should a small number of people go on strike. If the numbers were significant, Venter said fewer flights would operate. But he was sure the airline would not be grounded.