FlySafair strike worsens with more flight cancellations expected
The dispute is centred around a wage increase, but also working conditions and hours.
The strike caused major disruptions across and delays across South Africa on Monday, with many people expecting to travel home at the conclusion of the winter school holidays.
Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, aviation expert Guy Leitch believes it's likely to be a protracted strike action.
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Mail & Guardian
7 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Flysafair reaches wage deal with pilots, ending strike
A two-week strike by pilots at FlySafair ended on Friday after the airline and union Solidarity reached agreement on wage increases and better working conditions. (Wikimedia commons) A More than 90% of the airline's pilots had gone on strike demanding a 10.5% increase on base salaries, as well as additional flight pay and bonuses. The airline initially said it could only offer a 5.7% increase on base pay. 'FlySafair is pleased to confirm that the strike action by a portion of its pilot workforce has officially come to an end. This follows the signing of a formal agreement between airline management and Solidarity today, concluding several weeks of intensive engagement under the guidance of the 'Most importantly for the South African travelling public, this development means that FlySafair will begin restoring full capacity to the market. With all aircraft returning to active duty and schedules being normalised, the airline anticipates a stabilisation of airfares in the coming weeks as more seats become available across the network.' The airline did not say what salary increase had been agreed to but, in its own statement, Solidarity said pilots would receive increases of 6%, 6.5%, 6.8% and 6.9%, respectively, over the next four years. These percentages would also apply to annual adjustments in travel and subsistence allowances, as well as the medical allowance, it said, and pilots would get additional compensation for any hours in excess of 65 flying hours per month. Among their demands, the pilots wanted one weekend off a month and a more predictable roster, saying the current system caused stress, exhaustion and had led to some resignations. FlySafair argued that the proposed system would limit the airline's ability to roster pilots efficiently, which would affect passengers and the wider crew. On Friday, Solidarity said the new shift roster system agreed to was now regulated by 'hard rules' and no longer by 'soft rules' that could be adjusted at will by management. The union said the parties had agreed that pilots would receive at least one 60-hour weekend off in every six-week cycle, with a minimum of nine weekends off per year. Those who had to work on their days off would get that time back the following month. It said the agreement was an important step but there were still concerns that it only protected 'the very basic rights of the pilots'. The strike at FlySafair came as South Africa's
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
FlySafair strike over – Here's what pilots finally agreed to
Passengers queue at check-in counters during strike-related delays as FlySafair worked with reduced pilot staffing. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL FlySafair pilots have returned to duty after what was regarded as the longest pilot strike and lockout in South African history, following a 12-day dispute over scheduling and working conditions. The breakthrough came as the airline and Solidarity, the union representing its striking pilots, signed a formal agreement facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). 'After 12 days of lockout and strike action by FlySafair pilots, an agreement has finally been reached through the CCMA's proposed settlement,' said Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of Solidarity. The resolution ends weeks of tension that saw grounded flights, public confusion, and growing criticism from both sides. 'There are no winners in this process,' said Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of Solidarity, who confirmed that both parties accepted the CCMA-led proposal as the closest possible middle ground. A key point of contention was FlySafair's rostering system, which pilots argued allowed management to arbitrarily adjust schedules using vague 'soft rules.' The new agreement introduces fixed scheduling rules, removing this discretion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ IOL News previously reported that the FlySafair had initially resisted the fixed rules, pointing out the need for flexibility to ensure operational efficiency. The airline's system, it said, was aligned with international standards and allowed pilots to receive full rosters by the 20th of the preceding month, with a marketplace to facilitate duty swaps. However, Solidarity contended that the lack of predictability in scheduling disrupted pilots' personal lives, denied them leave due to staff shortages, and raised safety concerns. However, the final deal now guarantees pilots at least one 60-hour weekend off every six weeks, totaling a minimum of nine weekends off per year. They will also receive at least 10 days off per month. Pilots required to work on scheduled days off will be allowed to reclaim that time the following month. Cronjé said that under the agreement, pilots will receive salary increases of 6%, 6.5%, 6.8%, and 6.9% over the next four years. These increases will also apply to annual adjustments of travel, accommodation, and medical allowances. In addition, pilots will be paid extra for any hours flown beyond 65 hours per month. To help offset losses from the strike under the 'no work, no pay' rule, FlySafair will make a one-time ex gratia payment equal to 15% of pilots' monthly salaries. Pilots can also cash in up to five days of leave. Earlier in the week, with the strike stretching into its second week and no resolution in sight, Solidarity released an open letter to the public, defending the pilots against accusations of greed. 'Let us be clear: this strike is not about greed. It is about dignity. It is about safety. It is about fairness. It is about being heard,' the statement read. The union highlighted what it described as a 'growing culture of silence and fear' at the airline, where safety concerns, fatigue, and staff attrition were routinely dismissed or met with intimidation. Solidarity also pushed back on claims that pilots earned between R1.8 million and R2.4 million annually, clarifying that only a small group of senior captains earned at that level. Most pilots, it said, earn significantly less and have not seen salaries return to pre-COVID levels, despite earlier promises. The union disputed FlySafair's claim that pilots fly an average of 63 hours per month, stating that many fly between 85 and over 100 hours per month, excluding standby and training duties. The union further claimed the total duty time often exceeds 180 hours monthly, close to the legal limit of 200. Solidarity also raised concerns about a legal exemption FlySafair obtained to fly pilots up to 120 hours a month, calling it unsafe in a high-risk industry. Cronjé criticised FlySafair management for what he called unnecessary delays in negotiations. 'This agreement could already have been reached in February,' he said. 'Had FlySafair management made the same concessions regarding the roster at that time, the strike and lockout could have been avoided. Management's obstinance in response to the reasonable appeals of their pilots led to conflict and losses for all parties. It also caused severe disruption for passengers and the public.' He said Solidarity has never encountered such a difficult negotiation process in its history. 'The pilots' input during the finalisation of the agreement only confirmed how little trust they have in FlySafair's management,' he said. 'If drastic change does not take place, this settlement will not prevent an outflow of pilots - something that will be to the great detriment of the company and the country.' Meanwhile, FlySafair, welcomed the conclusion of the strike. 'We are pleased to confirm that the strike action by a portion of our pilot workforce has officially come to an end,' said Kirby Gordon, FlySafair's chief marketing officer.
The Herald
9 hours ago
- The Herald
'No winners in this', but deal struck between pilots and FlySafair
After 12 days of lockout and strike action by up to 200 FlySafair pilots affiliated with Solidarity trade union, an agreement has been reached through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of Solidarity, said the CCMA-led proposal, accepted by both parties, was the closest middle ground they could reach. 'There are no winners in this process.' The new shift roster system is now governed by fixed rules and no longer by so-called 'soft rules' that management could arbitrarily adjust, he said. Though FlySafair maintains it cannot guarantee pilots one full weekend off per month, negotiations have led to an agreement that pilots will receive at least one 60-hour weekend off during each six-week cycle, with a minimum of nine weekends off per year. Pilots required to work on their days off will be able to claim those days in the next month. They will also be allowed to exchange shifts among themselves. In addition, pilots will receive at least 10 days off per month. On wages, the union had wanted a 10% increase. Pilots have settled for salary increases of 6%, 6.5%, 6.8% and 6.9% respectively over the next four years. These percentages will also apply to annual adjustments of travel and accommodation allowances as well as the medical allowance. Pilots will also receive additional compensation for any hours exceeding 65 flying hours per month. To soften the effect of the 'no work, no pay' rule during the strike and lockout, pilots will receive a one-off ex gratia payment amounting to 15% of their monthly salary and will be allowed to cash in five days' leave. The strike saw some disruption on the first day with flights being cancelled, but the airline's contingency measures ensured subsequent operations ran smoothly on a scaled-back schedule. Cronjé said the conciliation process, which brings an end to the longest pilot strike and aviation sector lockout in South African history, was 'exceedingly difficult'. TimesLIVE
