News24 reports that talks will continue at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) between FlySafair and Solidarity, which represents most of the airline’s pilots, on Friday after no resolution to the ongoing strike was reached on Wednesday.

However, Solidarity reported progress in an ongoing dispute that has seen FlySafair cut 30% of its flights. “We have reached a sensitive stage in the discussions and, after a long and challenging day, some progress has been made … In the interim, parties have agreed to a media blackout to ensure the integrity of the process,” the trade union indicated. Solidarity previously rejected the airline’s proposed multi-year 5.7% wage increase. Instead, it demanded an “industry competitive”10.5% wage increase for 2025/2026, followed by a consumer price index (CPI) plus 4.5% increase for 2026/27 and a CPI plus 4% increase for 2027/28.” The union has also raised concerns about roster schedule changes last year, which it said left pilots with fewer leave days.  On Tuesday, Solidarity said the roster changes were going to be among their main demands at the commission. The pilots want one weekend off for every five weeks, and compensation for flying on days that they were supposed to be off as part of the schedule. Solidarity said if the airline agreed to the changes, it would compromise on its wage demands. While talks at the CCMA continue, the union’s pilots will remain locked out of work.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Na'ilah Ebrahim at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)

Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page