FlySafair pilots could walk out in 72 hours as CCMA intervenes

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) will on Thursday, July 17, play a role in the escalating dispute between FlySafair and trade union Solidarity, as the two parties move to finalise strike rules following a deadlock in salary negotiations.

After three months of talks, no agreement has been reached, and the CCMA is now facilitating the process that will allow pilot members to embark on protected industrial action.

The first strike, focused on a salary dispute, could commence shortly thereafter.

FlySafair’s final offer, a 5.7% salary increase along with additional compensation adjustments,  was rejected by the union’s pilot members. But according to Solidarity Deputy General Secretary Helgard Cronje, the dispute runs deeper than wages. 

“The rejection is not only due to the content of the offer; it is especially due to the extremely tense relationship between the pilots and FlySafair’s management,” Cronje said. “The relationship is at an absolute low.”

Cronje added that several underlying issues have contributed to the growing unrest. IOL previously reported that even before salary negotiations began, a separate dispute had flared up over FlySafair’s introduction of a new shift roster system, a move that has significantly affected pilots’ family lives.

“This roster dispute is a separate matter that could trigger another possible strike after the strike over the salary increase has ended,” Cronje said.

Another sticking point in the salary negotiations has been FlySafair’s newly implemented policies on leave and days off. According to Cronje, these changes have further deepened dissatisfaction among pilots.

“Pilots believe that these policies are detrimental to their quality of life, and that they are unfavourable and do not meet minimum expectations,” he said.

Speaking further to IOL, Cronje confirmed that no formal 72-hour strike notice has yet been issued.

“We haven’t sent a formal 72-hour strike notice as of yet. We have a meeting with the CCMA and the employer this afternoon to finalise the picketing rules. Only after that are we in a position to issue a formal strike notice,” he said.

“We haven’t done that yet, and we aren’t able to do that yet because of how the procedures work, but we might be in that position later this afternoon.”

Cronje stressed that unless FlySafair changes its stance, pilots are prepared to proceed with industrial action.

“If FlySafair doesn't change their position or their policies, the mandate from our members is clear: they want to take strike action. That’s the next step,” he said.

“If both parties can come to the table and there’s some movement, then obviously that opens a new discussion and we might have to remand.”

He also clarified that Solidarity is not coordinating with the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACA), which represents the airline's cabin crew currently engaged in separate negotiations.

“There’s no coordination between Solidarity and SACA. We’ve seen communication from them that there’s no intention from their side to coordinate any strike action, which we respect,” Cronje said. “They do their own negotiations, the interests of cabin crew and the pilot body differ, and we accept that for what it is.”

However, Cronje warned that based on Solidarity’s prior experience representing cabin crew, negotiations on that front could also become difficult.

In anticipation of possible disruptions, FlySafair has also proactively announced schedule changes affecting selected flights departing between Tuesday, July 22, and Monday, July 28, 2025.

“To ensure the best possible experience for our customers, FlySafair is proactively announcing schedule changes as a precautionary measure in light of ongoing labour discussions,” the airline said.

Customers impacted by these changes will be contacted directly and are encouraged to check their bookings or make changes at no additional cost via the FlySafair website’s Manage Booking portal, the airline said. 

The airline added it “will continue efforts to minimise inconvenience and maintain safe, reliable services during this period” and thanked customers for their patience and understanding.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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