FlySafair pilots to embark on two-week strike after deadlock in wage negotiations
The duration of strike, which was initially planned to take place over one day, was changed to 14 days after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) agreed to the rules for the industrial action.
In a statement on Friday, the union said due to the company's unwillingness to meet the demands of the workers, they were left with no other option but to down their tools.
'In its reaction to the company's aggressive action, Solidarity decided to extend the one-day strike initially planned to 14 days.'
The more than 200 pilots are demanding a 10% salary increase and improved working conditions.
FlySafair's offer to workers of a 5.7% salary increase along with some additional adjustments to compensation was rejected by the vast majority of Solidarity's members.
The labour union accused the airline of issuing a seven-day lockout for pilots represented by Solidarity.
'This step indicates that the airline is deliberately opting for a prolonged and destabilising conflict, which could possibly be extended by another seven days should Solidarity and its members not comply with management's controversial demands. This means that no flights can be guaranteed for the next two weeks.'
The union claims the airline is in a good financial position as it recently made millions through the sale of shares.
'Ironically, this lockout was announced while, according to media reports, two of FlySafair's most senior management members, CEO Elmar Conradie and CFO Pieter Richards, have recently realised more than R90m by selling shares — possibly at the expense of FlySafair's licence conditions.'
TimesLIVE
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Solidarity CEO urges FlySafair to prioritise pilots' wellbeing in strike standoff
Solidarity's CEO Dr Dirk Hermann urges FlySafair to prioritise people over profits, warning that pilot frustration, driven by poor work-life balance and mistrust, could ground the airline's future in a globally competitive market. Image: Supplied Solidarity union Chief Executive Officer Dr Dirk Hermann has called on FlySafair CEO Elmar Conradie to intervene directly in the airline's ongoing pilot strike, warning that the dispute has exposed a deep crisis of trust between the airline and its highly skilled workforce. In an open letter released on Sunday, July, 27, 2025, Hermann addressed Conradie directly, noting that while neither of them is personally involved in the negotiations, the matter has reached a critical point that requires leadership. 'This open letter deliberately does not form part of the negotiations but is a note between the two of us,' he wrote. Hermann highlighted that more than 90% of Solidarity's pilot members voted to continue the strike even after a new offer from FlySafair, an unprecedented move for a professional group that rarely resorts to industrial action. 'Solidarity members only go on strike as a matter of the highest exception... This case is, however, such a highly exceptional one,' he said. He pointed to a 'complete breakdown of trust' between the airline and its pilots and describes their levels of disillusionment as 'toxic.' Drawing on his academic expertise, Hermann added: 'I did my PhD in Labour Relations, and my topic was alienation. I can tell you that the alienation levels of your pilots are toxic.' A core concern is not just remuneration, but the implementation of a new roster system that significantly impacts work-life balance. Pilots, according to Hermann, are not primarily striking over money but over the loss of meaningful, balanced working conditions. ' They are asking for one weekend off a month,' he explains. 'They are looking for balanced jobs and FlySafair has taken that away from them.' Hermann criticised FlySafair's handling of the strike, especially the decision to respond to a one-day action with a full week-long lockout, now extended. 'They wanted to show what is going on in their hearts, but then they got hit in the pocket. They have been threatened and bullied,' he said. He warned that the airline risks an exodus of pilots to international carriers. While FlySafair achieved record profits in 2024 and reportedly paid out R90 million in shares to executives and R1.31 billion to overseas shareholders, many pilots' salaries remain below pre-COVID levels. Hermann argues that the airline's offer has not kept pace with local and global industry standards, especially given the global shortage of pilots. ' There is a pilot shortage, and it is going to get even worse. This shortage is going to rise above inflation, and so too will their salaries. It is a market reality,' he writes. 'My call to you is to intervene in the negotiations. Don't look at the sums, but at the people. Be internationally competitive with a total remuneration package that surpasses salary. If you don't, it will translate into sums, sums you will not like.' 'You must now land this plane that is on strike. Give the pilots what they are asking for and what is good for them, the company and the country,'' he said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Mail & Guardian
Protected: Standard Bank sweeps the board at 2025 Euromoney awards
Last week, Standard Bank Group CE, Sim Tshabalala, had the honour of accepting 26 accolades on behalf of the bank at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, including Best Bank in South Africa and Africa. This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
FlySafair, Solidarity union head back to negotiating table after ‘some progress made'
FlySafair has made schedule changes affecting flights from July 22 to 28. Image: Supplied The mediation process between FlySafair and Solidarity, the labour union representing the carrier's striking pilots, is set to resume on Friday afternoon. 'We have reached a sensitive stage in the discussions and some progress has been made. Parties will reconvene on Friday at 2pm, to continue discussions,' a source at Solidarity told IOL. The strike and lockout conditions remain the same since talks began on Wednesday, the source added, and in the interim, parties have agreed to a media blackout to 'ensure the integrity of the process'. A FlySafair spokesperson told IOL that the airline continues to run a stable, reduced timetable and remains engaged in mediation with Solidarity and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The airline has reportedly entered into an agreement with South African Airways (SAA) to operate two of its daily flights under a 'passenger protection agreement'. However, there are fears that flight cancellations could be necessary next week if the strike is not resolved. That's because the pilots who are currently operating FlySafair's reduced schedule could reach their legal flying time limit by then, The Citizen reports. These regulations, designed to prevent fatigue, state that pilots cannot fly for more than 40 hours within a seven-day period. According to Solidarity, the strike was initially meant to last for one day (Monday), in order to get FlySafair to the negotiating table. But it said the airline then responded by locking out the pilots for seven days. Solidarity member pilots are demanding a 10.5% increase for 2025/26, with pilots claiming they're still earning 10% less than pre-pandemic levels. However, FlySafair says that this would amount to a cost-to-company increase of more than 20% once additional demands had been factored in, which it says is an unsustainable escalation for any company. The airline has offered its pilots an 'above inflation' increase of 5.7%. Next Stay Close ✕ FlySafair maintains that its pilots are among the best-compensated professionals in South Africa, with captains earning between R1.8 million and R2.3 million per year. However, the pilot roster system is a significant point of contention for pilots. ALSO READ: Why FlySafair pilots are striking - it's more than just money In a statement released earlier this week, Solidarity claimed that FlySafair's new rostering system drastically changed the established working conditions of pilots, impeding their rest periods and undermining their family life. 'As pilots' workdays often start before sunrise and last until late at night, sufficient rest is of utmost importance for the safety and well-being of pilots and passengers alike. 'In addition, pilots work seven days a week on a rotating schedule, which significantly impacts their family life compared to those who work standard office hours,' Solidarity said. Responding to earlier accusations that pilots were overworked, FlySafair said its captains spent an average of 63 hours in the cockpit last month, which is well within regulatory limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority, IATA and ICAO, which cap flight duty at 100 hours per month. This is a developing story. Stay tuned to IOL for further updates. IOL News
