Members of the South African Airways (SAA) Pilots Association and National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilot Forum will commence with “work-to-rule” industrial action from today, Wednesday, 19 March 2025.
The strike is the latest in an ongoing wage battle between the embattled state-owned airline and its pilots that began in May 2024.
When SAA went into business rescue before the Covid-19 pandemic, the pilots who stayed on accepted to take massive pay cuts in return for job security.
The carrier took to the skies again in September 2021, but the pilots’ salaries saw no upwards adjustments.
In the 2022/23 financial year, SAA reported a net profit of R252 million, marking the first time it achieved a positive bottom line since 2012.
This prompted the pilots to seek a salary increase, initially demanding a 30% hike which was later reduced to 15.7%.
SAA proposed several compensation packages which included, among others, a 7.2% average salary increase and a medical aid subsidy expansion from R2,275 to R4,000 a month.
These offers were rejected by the pilots, who most recently have been locked into negotiations with SAA management since 13 December 2024.
As no amicable solution has been tabled, the pilots once again decided to embark on strike action.
The final offer
SAA made a final offer to its pilots on 5 March 2025, which included a three-year salary increase agreement and the introduction of a longevity salary progression model.
The offer further encompassed a new scheduling system for pilots’ on-duty hours, as well as a shared roster system that will allow female pilots with children who are interested to share a roster – e.g. two weeks on, two weeks off – with half pay and benefits to do so.
The pilots would also receive one extra leave day per year, with another day on voting years, as well as additional rebate travel tickets for family and friends.
“SAA expresses deep regret over the pilots’ decision to proceed with industrial action, particularly in light of the comprehensive and favourable final offer extended by the company on 5 March 2025,” said SAA Group CEO, John Lamola.
He emphasised that SAA continues to navigate significant financial pressures, operating within a challenging environment marked by elevated fuel prices, a weakened rand, intense competition, and ongoing productivity and labour cost hurdles.
“We consider our offer to the pilots both fair and generous, especially given the financial challenges the airline continues to face. SAA remains dedicated to reaching an amicable resolution through ongoing negotiations and open communication with the pilot body and all stakeholders.”
SAA has implemented contingency measures to minimize the impact of this industrial action and ensure ongoing service and real-time updates on flight statuses to all stakeholders.
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