FlySafair strike ends: ‘It’s sad that it took this to get basic protections’ - Solidarity
After almost two weeks the FlySafair strike has finally come to an end.
FlySafair adds 11 new destinations flights in Southern Africa. Photo: Twitter
CapeTalk’s John Maytham speaks with Helgard Cronje, Solidarity secretary general
Listen below:
FlySafair and Solidarity have finally reached an agreement, bringing the longest pilot strike and lockout in South African aviation history to an end.
Both sides accepted a CCMA-brokered settlement.
One of the main concerns for Solidarity that led to the strike was the lack of work-life balance for pilots and changes to the roster.
Under the new agreement, pilots will receive one 60-hour weekend off every six weeks, at least nine weekends off annually, and a minimum of ten days off each month.
The roster system has also been revised to improve clarity and enable pilots to exchange shifts, as well as to allow a pilot who has worked on their day off to reclaim that day in the following month.
“It is sad that pilots have to strike for 12 days to get these basic protections.”
- Helgard Cronje, Solidarity secretary general
Pilots will also receive 6%, 6.5%, 6.8%, and 6.9% salary increases over the next four years which is closer to what FlySafair originally proposed than what Solidarity asked for.
RELATED: ‘FlySafair is creating enemies of their pilots’ – Gideon du Plessis, Solidarity
However, Cronje says they were very open to negotiating wages once the roster issue was resolved.
“I personally don’t think there are any winners in this instance. I don’t think there ever are in a strike.”
- Helgard Cronje, Solidarity secretary general
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