FlySafair strike update: If we resolve roster issue, rest will come easily – Solidarity

CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks with Helgard Cronje, Deputy General Secretary for Solidarity.

Listen below:

Around 200 FlySafair pilots represented by the trade union Solidarity have been on strike since Monday after a breakdown in wage negotiations.

Mediation between Solidarity and the airline is set to take place today (23 July).

Solidarity says its priority in the mediation process is securing an improved quality of life for pilots.

This includes a salary increase to restore their wages to pre-pandemic levels and reversing the changes made to the rostering system.

They argue that the new rosters implemented by FlySafair impede the necessary rest periods for pilots and will impact their family life.

They are calling for pilots to have one weekend off within each five-week schedule cycle, two consecutive days off for proper rest, and the opportunity to swap shifts with colleagues if necessary for family responsibilities.

RELATED: ‘FlySafair is creating enemies of their pilots’ – Gideon du Plessis, Solidarity

Solidarity is prepared to review its salary demands and all related claims if FlySafair complies with their roster change requests.

“If we can find a resolution on the rostering issue, the discussions surrounding the rest will probably be a lot easier.”

- Helgard Cronje, Deputy General Secretary - Solidarity

RELATED: Captains are high earners. Their demands are untenable – Kirby Gordon, FlySafair

Cronje says that FlySafair has been misleading the public when sharing information about the hours that pilots work, creating an impression that pilots do not work long and hard hours.

He adds that the rostering issue is a no-cost issue for the airline, so there should be no reason for them to reject the demands.

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