South African Airways cancels flights ahead of strike

South African Airways said Wednesday it was cancelling all its flights as thousands of workers vowed to press ahead with an indefinite strike the following day, after the troubled carrier announced a major retrenchment plan. Around 3,000 workers, including cabin crew, check-in, ticket sales, technical and ground staff, are expected to take part in the open-ended strike starting Friday, their unions said. The looming shutdown forced SAA to announce Wednesday that it "has cancelled nearly all its domestic, regional and international flights scheduled for Friday, Nov 15 and Saturday, Nov 16". Unions earlier Wednesday vowed their members would forge ahead with the strike, which the airline warned could collapse the embattled carrier. <br/>