Pilots at FlySafair, South Africa’s largest low-cost airline, are preparing to go on strike after recent salary negotiations with the airline failed.
According to reports, talks between FlySafair and the Solidarity trade union have reached a dead end after three months of prolonged discussions.
The airline’s final offer, a 5.7 percent salary increase plus some additional compensation adjustments, was rejected by the vast majority of Solidarity members.
FlySafair pilots say no to salary increase
According to Solidarity Deputy General Secretary Helgard Cronje, the standoff isn’t just about money but also about strained relations between the pilots and FlySafair’s management.
The pilot dissatisfaction reportedly runs deeper than just salary.
A new shift roster system introduced by the airline has also been a major point of contention. Pilots argue that the system is rigid and makes it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Leave and off-day policies have also drawn criticism, with pilots saying that the current setup harms their quality of life and falls short of industry norms.
FlySafair and Solidarity are set to finalise strike protocols with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Thursday, 17 July, and if all goes as planned, the first strike, focused on the salary dispute, could begin within days.
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