FlySafair dispute not unique. Low-cost airlines everywhere try to contain pilots’ wages - Guy Leitch, SA Flyer magazine

CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford speaks with Guy Leitch, Editor at SA Flyer magazine.

Listen below:

FlySafair pilots represented by the trade union Solidarity issued a strike notice following disputes with the airline.

The company responded by issuing a notice that striking pilots would be locked out for two weeks.

This comes after discussions around wages, working hours, and working conditions became deadlocked.

Several FlySafair flights have been cancelled despite the airline reassuring consumers that their operations would not be disrupted.

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

Leitch says this is not a uniquely South African issue as all low-cost airlines will try to keep wages as low as possible, to the frustration of pilots.

“The pilot costs are probably the single largest cost after fuel... that is why there is a continual war against pilots' remuneration.” 

- Guy Leitch, Editor - SA Flyer magazine

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

He adds that pilots have negotiating power because of the time and effort that goes into training them.

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