ABOUT 12000 members of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union are set to down tools today at the Civil Aviation Authority after wage talks broke down.

ABOUT 12000 members of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union are set to down tools today at the Civil Aviation Authority after wage talks broke down.

"Everything possible was done at the CCMA but it failed. We are prepared to down tools," said Satawu general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu.

The CAA is a regulatory body for the civil aviation industry and an agency of the Department of Transport.

Satawu said it had about 80percent of CAA employees.

Mahlangu said services that would be affected were licensing, aircraft registry, examinations and client services.

He said air traffic controllers were not part of the action but could embark on a sympathy strike.

Satawu is demanding a 14percent wage increase, while the CAA has offered a "conditional" nine percent.

CAA spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba said his organisation was served with the notice to strike on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, the SA Aviation and Allied Workers Union said it would meet the employers' attorneys today.

This comes after various service providers at OR Tambo International Airport obtained a court interdict against striking employees.

The union challenged the order in court.

Spokesperson Peter Mlaba said the parties' legal teams would "map the way forward regarding the interdict and strike, which will eventually happen".

Mlaba said the workers were demanding a World Cup bonus, a minimum wage of R7500 and organisational rights.