FlySafair strike over after airline, pilots reach agreement
FlySafair announced on Friday that a strike by pilots affiliated with trade union Solidarity has ended.
The strike, which had entered its second week, has seen the airline operating a reduced flight schedule.
In a statement, the airline said both parties signed a formal agreement, concluding several weeks of intensive engagement under the guidance of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
"We are pleased to have reached a constructive resolution that allows us to move forward together. The return of our full schedule will help bring much-needed capacity back to the market, which is essential to restoring fare equilibrium and making travel more affordable again for South
Africans," said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair.
Earlier this week, FlySafair offered a multi-year 5.7% wage increase, while trade union Solidarity is demanding a 10.5% hike along with improved working conditions.
This was widely rejected by workers.
READ: Pilots reject FlySafair offer as strike, lockout continue
WHAT'S IN THE DEAL?
Under the new agreement, pilots will receive salary increases of 6%.; 6,5%; 6,8% and 6,9% respectively over the next four years.
"These percentages will also apply to annual adjustments of travel and accommodation allowances, as well as the medical allowance. Pilots will also receive additional compensation for any hours exceeding 65 flying hours per month," said Solidarity's spokesperson Helgard Cronje.
The union previously said the strike was not mainly driven by salaries, but by what they perceived to be unfair rostering.
He said the leading issue was the request of at least one guaranteed weekend off per month and a more predictable shift roster.
In the latest statement, Cronje said that although FlySafair still maintains that it cannot guarantee pilots one full weekend off per month, negotiations have led to an agreement that pilots will receive at least one 60-hour weekend off during each six-week cycle, with a minimum of nine weekends off per year.
"There are no winners in this process. The new shift roster system is now governed by fixed rules and no longer by so-called 'soft rules' that management could arbitrarily adjust."
He adds that pilots will also be allowed to swap shifts among themselves.
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