By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Hein Kaiser.
FlySafair confirmed that, as anticipated, a strike certificate has been issued to Solidarity and the Pilot Union following a CCMA meeting held on Thursday, 17 July.
The union is expected to issue a formal notice of intention to strike at any time from Friday morning, with industrial action potentially commencing on Monday or 72 hours after the notice is issued.
Solidarity announced that its members would likely go on strike over a wage dispute, with the majority of the trade union’s members rejecting a 5.7% wage increase and additional compensation measures.
Solidarity noted that the rejection of the offer was not only due to its content but also due to the tense relationship between the pilots and the airline’s management.
Salary negotiations were also impacted by the company’s policy on leave and days off, with pilots stating that it is detrimental to their quality of life and does not meet minimum expectations.
Pilots are also frustrated by a new rostering system, which they claim is inflexible and disruptive. This is a separate matter, which could trigger separate strike action, the union warned.
In preparation, FlySafair has already proactively adjusted its operational schedule to ensure continuity, and no disruption to flight operations is expected.
Customers whose future travel plans have been a ected by these adjustments have already been notified via the contact details provided at the time of booking.
Travellers wishing to review their flight details or, if a ected by rescheduling, change to a more convenient option may do so free of charge via the Manage Booking section at flysafair.co.za.
“We deeply respect the rights of our employees to participate in this process,” Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing O icer at FlySafair told Fullview.
“It is our responsibility to balance the needs of our people with the long-term sustainability of the company. We remain committed to constructive engagement and thank our customers for their understanding as we navigate this important period.”
Industrial action at FlySafair may not be limited to the pilots, with FlySafair and solidarity also locked in a separate salary negotiation with its cabin crew, potentially leading to another dispute.