By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) and National Transport Movement (NTM) have called off the strike after reaching a conditional agreement with South African Airways (SAA).
SAA said on Saturday that the strike was suspended in the early hours of the morning after successful negotiations between the airline and the unions.
SAAPA and NTM had previously demanded a 15.7% increase. SAA offered an 8.46% increase, backdated to April, which was rejected. Pilots went on strike on Thursday, picketing outside the airline’s office in Kempton Park at OR Tambo International Airport. There were disruptions across local, regional and international routes.
SAA management offered an additional 1% salary increase, resulting in a total salary increase of 9.47% for SAA pilots.
Pilots will return to work while negotiations for “improved working conditions” continue between the unions and SAA.
“As part of the agreement that broke the deadlock in wage negotiations, engagements on a continuous enterprise improvement program will continue over the next eight weeks,” interim SAA CEO John Lamola said in a statement.
“We are committed to implementing work-life concessions that should enhance the productivity of our world-acclaimed pilots”.
The airline is expected to return to a full flight schedule on Sunday, with over 100 pilots expected to return to duty by noon on Saturday.