Latest news with #HelgardCronje
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
FlySafair announces flight schedule changes due to potential pilot strike
FlySafair has made schedule changes affecting flights from July 22 to 28 due to potential strike action by pilots, who are members of trade union Solidarity. South African domestic airline FlySafair has announced schedule changes as a precautionary measure in light of "ongoing labour discussions". The airline said in a statement on its website that the changes will affect selected flights departing between July 22 and 28. The announcement comes after IOL reported on Wednesday that talks between trade union Solidarity and FlySafair regarding salary negotiations for pilots had reached an impasse. In their statement, the airline said affected customers would be notified of the changes. "Customers whose flight times have been affected will be contacted using the contact details provided at the time of booking. Customers are also encouraged to check the status of their bookings or make changes at no additional cost to more convenient alternative flights via the Manage Booking portal on the FlySafair website." The airline said it will continue efforts to minimise inconvenience and maintain safe, reliable services during this period. "The airline thanks customers for their patience and understanding." In their statement, union Solidarity said FlySafair's final offer – a 5,7% salary increase along with some additional adjustments to compensation – was rejected by the vast majority of its members. Solidarity deputy general secretary Helgard Cronje said the rejection was not only due to the content of the offer but also due to the tense relationship between the pilots and FlySafair's management. 'The relationship is at an absolute low,' Cronje said. The union 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. Another obstacle in the salary negotiations, the union said, 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." Strike rules are expected to be finalised under the guidance of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Thursday, July 17. The first strike regarding the salary dispute could then commence a few days later, Solidarity said. The union noted that the airline is also locked in separate salary negotiations for cabin crew. THE MERCURY
News24
4 days ago
- Business
- News24
FlySafair pilot strike looms amid deadlock over wages, leave
FlySafair pilots represented by the Solidarity trade union may strike in the coming days after salary negotiations hit a deadlock. Safair confirmed on Wednesday that the deadlock will result in the issuance of a strike certificate, which will allow the pilots to take action. FlySafair is the largest domestic airline in South Africa. Solidarity represents 210 FlySafair pilots - about two-thirds. Solidarity said the potential industrial action comes after a large majority of the union's pilots rejected Safair's final multi-year wage agreement offer, which included a 5.7% salary increase along with some additional adjustments to compensation. The union wanted a 10.5% wage increase for 2025/2026, followed by a consumer price index (CPI) plus 4.5% increase for 2026/2027, and a CPI plus 4% increase for 2027/2028. Speaking to News24, Solidarity deputy secretary-general Helgard Cronje said wage negotiations began in late April and continued into May before the dispute was declared. The wage increases were expected to come into effect on 1 July. Said Cronje: There is a lot of economic uncertainty, and a lot of pilots leave for international work. It is a difficult environment to work in. In SA, the demand is high, but the salaries are not as competitive compared to other regions [like the Middle East]. We know that FlySafair is a low-cost domestic airline, but it has gained a lot of market share in recent years. The trade union said the company also introduced a new policy on leave days and days off, which pilots believe is detrimental to their quality of life. There was also a dispute over a new shift roster system. Solidarity said it will finalise the strike rules with Safair on Thursday, under the guidance of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration. Cronje said that it is likely that the first strike will take place next week. Solidarity said that Safair is also in a separate negotiations process for cabin crew, with all indications suggesting that it may also be heading towards a dispute. Kirby Gordon, FlySafair's chief marketing officer, said the airline has contingency plans in place to minimise disruptions. 'We are fully prepared to manage the situation responsibly, with contingency plans in place to ensure minimal disruption to our schedule and service. Customers can continue to book and travel with confidence.' He said that the airline respects the right the strike certificate affords its pilots to strike, and the rights of their colleagues who choose to continue to work. 'We respect their right to raise concerns and remain committed to engaging in good faith to reach a constructive resolution that supports our people, our passengers, and the long-term viability of our business,' he said.
The South African
4 days ago
- Business
- The South African
FlySafair pilots set to strike after salary negotiations hit a dead end
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. 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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Top South African Airline Faces Pilot Strike Over Wage Impasse
More than half of the pilots at South Africa's largest airline FlySafair are preparing to go on strike after failing to reach and an agreement on wages, labor union Solidarity said. The majority of the 211 pilots represented by Solidarity rejected the low-cost carrier's final offer of a 5.7% raise, Deputy General-Secretary Helgard Cronje said by phone. The labor union's members, who make up about two-third of FlySafair's total pilots, are demanding 10.5% in the first year and inflation-linked increases in the subsequent two years, he said.
