FlySafair hoping Solidarity can bring to table meaningful counterproposal
FlySafair and the union have been involved in several discussions under the supervision of the CCMA since last week as efforts continue to reach an agreement.
FlySafair pilots begin returning to work as limited flights resume. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - Low-cost carrier, FlySafair, said it's hoping trade union Solidarity can bring to the table a meaningful counterproposal, following the rejection of several that were made by the airline.
FlySafair and the union have been involved in several discussions under the supervision of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) since last week, as efforts continue to reach an agreement.
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The airline was forced to cancel numerous flights last week, as pilots affiliated with the trade union went on strike, while others are reported to have resigned.
Solidarity said negotiations were deadlocked due to the airline's resistance to addressing what it called an exhausting work schedule.
However, FlySafair said it has brought to the table several proposals, including the establishment of a committee that will evaluate roster rules that the pilots wanted to review.
“The company has made six revisions to our proposals in this process, and the union has made two. So, they don't seem to be budging strictly from the position that they're at. But [there] would be a very constructive outcome if they could put a meaningful counterproposal on the table that will certainly give us some means for discussions,” said the airline's chief marketing officer, Kirby Gordon.
Gordon said the airline is working to achieve a reasonable level of productivity from the pilots.