By: Buhle Mbhele
Trade union Solidarity has announced that salary negotiations with low-cost airline FlySafair have reached a deadlock, and pilots are now preparing for strike action.
According to the union, FlySafair’s final offer of a 6% salary increase was overwhelmingly rejected by the majority of pilots. Solidarity says the rejection stems not only from financial concerns but also from what it describes as a “severely strained” relationship between pilots and airline management.
Helgard Cronje, sector coordinator for aviation at Solidarity, says deeper issues are at play, including dissatisfaction with a controversial shift roster system and recent changes to leave policies.
“These policies have significantly impacted pilots’ quality of life, and management has shown little willingness to engage meaningfully on these matters,” Cronje said. “The discontent is widespread and has been building for some time.”
Solidarity has now filed a notice of intention to strike, in line with the Labour Relations Act, and says it will ensure all legal procedures are followed. The union has not yet confirmed the exact date of the planned strike but warned that industrial action could disrupt the airline’s operations if a resolution is not reached soon.
FlySafair, a subsidiary of Safair Operations, is one of South Africa’s most punctual and popular low-cost carriers, operating key domestic routes. The airline has not yet issued an official response to the union’s latest statements.
