Trade union Solidarity says that FlySafair has agreed to participate in the mediation process of its labour dispute.
On Monday, July 21, the labour dispute saw the cancellation of about 12% of FlySafair’s scheduled flights – 26 flights in total – as the airline’s pilots began to strike.
More flights have been cancelled on Tuesday, 22 July, FlySafair announced, though operations continue largely as normal.
Negotiations between Solidarity and FlySafair over improved employment conditions for the airline’s pilots reached a deadlock about a week ago, after three months of talks.
Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of the public sector at Solidarity, said “Working conditions have deteriorated, with flight schedules leading to serious exhaustion for our members.”
“Pilots have warned that the current situation is not sustainable.”
211 – almost two thirds of FlySafair’s pilots – are members of Solidarity, and 90% of them rejected the airline’s final offer of a 5.7% salary increase, with additional adjustments to compensation.
The union demanded a 10.5% increase in base salaries for pilots, as well as additional flight pay and bonuses.
Solidarity then gave FlySafair notice of a one-day strike, which it claimed was aimed as “forcing the company back to the negotiating table.”
Instead, the airline imposed a retaliatory seven-day consecutive lock-out of the pilots.
The tit-for-tat ultimately resulted in Solidarity extending the strike to 14 days.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) offered to step in to resolve the dispute, in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act.
Initially, while Solidarity accepted the offer, FlySafair refused.
An unfolding situation
The trade union announced on Monday afternoon that FlySafair has now decided to participate in the mediation process.
“Although FlySafair already had the opportunity to defuse this labour dispute this past weekend – thereby sparing thousands of passengers the frustration of a strike – they have only now, after widespread outcry and frustration, reluctantly agreed,” said Solidarity.
Cronjé cast doubts about whether FlySafair is approaching the situation with the necessary urgency.
“FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lockout will be. It is costing them too much and the passengers are paying the price.”
“Yet FlySafair has indicated that it is prepared to start the negotiation process only by Wednesday. As a result, thousands of passengers will still be affected before FlySafair comes to the table,” said Cronjé.”
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