Salary negotiations at FlySafair reach deadlock; pilots ready to strike

Negotiations between Solidarity and FlySafair over improved employment conditions for the company’s pilots have reached a deadlock after three months.

FlySafair’s final offer – a 5,7% salary increase along with some additional adjustments to compensation – was rejected by the vast majority of Solidarity members.

According to Solidarity Deputy General Secretary Helgard Cronje, the rejection is not only due to the content of the offer; it is especially due to the extremely tense relationship between the pilots and FlySafair’s management. “The relationship is at an absolute low,” Cronje said.

Even before the start of the salary negotiations, a dispute over a new shift roster system had arisen – a core issue for pilots as it has a negative impact on their family life. This roster dispute is a separate matter which, according to Solidarity, could trigger another possible strike after the strike over the salary increase has ended.

Another obstacle in the salary negotiations was the company’s new policy on leave and days off. Pilots believe that these policies are detrimental to their quality of life, and that they are unfavourable and do not meet minimum expectations.

Solidarity and Safair will finalise the strike rules on Thursday, 17 July, under the guidance of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The first strike regarding the salary dispute could then commence a few days later.

Meanwhile, Safair is also locked in separate salary negotiations for cabin crew which, by all indications, are also heading towards a dispute.

“These negotiations can be seen as a failure in labour relations,” Cronje said. “The poor relationship between management and pilots has now led to the public bearing the consequences of unresolved workplace conflict.”