By Akani Nkuna
Solidarity CEO Dirk Herman has written to FlySafair Chief Executive Elmar Conradie, urging the airline to reconsider its stance on pilot salaries, which he says remains a key factor in the ongoing strike.
While neither Herman nor Conradie is directly involved in the negotiations, Herman argued in the letter that the decision by pilots to strike—despite earning above-average salaries—signals deep-rooted concerns that warrant serious reflection.
He called on FlySafair to re-evaluate its remuneration structures and internal labour practices.
“After week one of the strike and the negotiations, and a new offer from FlySafair about 90% of our members voted to continue the strike. In our world this is unprecedented… this is a strange phenomenon to us. Something must be very wrong at FlySafair,” said Herman in a letter issued on Sunday.
Solidarity and FlySafair have been locked in months-long negotiations over pilot salaries and a more balanced roster system, which the union says is crucial for enabling pilots to maintain a healthier work-life balance.
However, the parties have yet to reach an agreement on salary adjustments and improved working conditions.
Talks resumed following a strike by pilots last week, which led to multiple flight cancellations and financial losses for the airline due to the shortage of available crew.
FlySafair spokesperson Kirby Gordon told Inside Politics last Monday that Solidarity’s salary demand of 20.1% was economically unsustainable in the current financial year.
He described the demand as “ludicrous,” insisting that the airline’s offer was already generous.
“We eventually negotiated to an 11.29% increase in the cost of the company which Solidarity rejected. You can understand then why we have had to stand firm to protect the business and the jobs of the 1700 other people who work here,” Gordon said.
Herman has cautioned Conradie that the airline faces a daunting task in restoring its reputation and rebuilding trust with its pilots and the public once the current strike ends.
Herman urged Conradie to listen to the concerns of striking pilots to limit the long-term damage.
“In a way they too find strange, the pilots wanted to demonstrate their frustration by striking for a day. But FlySafair didn’t listen—instead, they punished them with a one-week lockout, now extended for yet another week,” Herman wrote.
“They have every reason to feel excluded.”
He went on to say: “The pilots wanted to show what is going on in their hearts, but they got hit in the pocket. They’ve been threatened and bullied. Many are now considering greener pastures—and FlySafair is unlikely to be that place for future pilots.”
According to reports, FlySafair posted record profits in 2024, with R90 million in shares allocated and R1.31 billion reportedly paid out to Irish shareholders.
Herman claimed this financial success has come at the cost of compassion and employee wellbeing.
“This drive to earn millions and billions has led the company to disregard empathy and human dignity,” he said.
“My call to you is simple: intervene in the negotiations. Don’t just look at the numbers—look at the people. Create an internationally competitive total remuneration package that goes beyond salary. If you don’t, those numbers will eventually turn against you.”
Herman also criticised the implementation of a new flight roster, which he said was introduced without consultation and now severely disrupts pilots’ rest and family time.
Pilots are demanding at least one weekend off per month and a more stable roster to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“The more I spoke to the pilots, the more I discovered something deeper. Money is not their primary motive,” Herman added.
“They want fair pay, of course, but their main concern is the unpredictable roster that has stripped away their work-life balance and rest. They’re simply asking for humane, balanced jobs—and FlySafair has taken that away from them.”
INSIDE POLITICS