Today's Labour News

BusinessTech reports that trade union Solidarity says it has decided to extend its planned one-day strike action by FlySafair pilots due to commence on Monday, 21 July to two weeks.

The union said this was in response to the airline’s announcement of a seven-day consecutive lock-out of its pilots. Solidarity advised that it had given FlySafair notice of a one-day strike to minimise and limit the disruption of the action on the public. However, according to the union, FlySafair’s response to this was “drastic” and an indication the airline was “opting” for a prolonged and destabilising conflict. The union advised in a statement: “In its reaction to the company’s aggressive action, Solidarity decided to extend the one-day strike, initially planned, to 14 days. Unfortunately, this means passengers will be experiencing disruptions for the next two weeks.” The union pointed out that 88% of FlySafair’s pilots had voted in favour of the strike, meaning that “almost 9 out of 10 pilots are no longer prepared to continue to work under the current working conditions.” The CCMA has apparently already approached the parties to facilitate mediation and Solidarity has agreed to the process. Safair’s final multiyear wage agreement offer included a 5.7% salary increase and other compensation adjustments. However, this was overwhelmingly rejected by the union, which is demanding a 10.5% wage increase for 2025/26, followed by a consumer price index (CPI) plus 4.5% increase for 2026/27, and a CPI plus 4% increase for 2027/28.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessTech
• Read too, FlySafair pilots announce two-week strike from Monday, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
• And also, Travel disruptions loom as FlySafair pilots extend strike, at IOL News

Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page