By Akani Nkuna
Solidarity has turned down the proposed 5.7% salary adjustment by FlySafair following high-stake bargaining between the parties.
It also cites disputes over shift roster and the company’s new policy on leave days as issues and warns that strike action will be undertaken due to the persistent deadlock.
Solidarity deputy secretary general Helgard Cronje said that the rift between the pilots and airline company was a major hindrance in helping chart the way forward to salary deal and other disputes dividing the parties.
“The negotiations can be seen as a failure in labour relations. The poor relationship between management and pilots has now led to the public bearing the consequences of unresolved workplace conflict,” Cronje said in a statement on Wednesday.
In February this year, the airline implemented a new rostering system which demanded more working hours from the pilots with relatively no salary increments or enhanced working conditions.
Solidary said the roster undermined the pilots’ work life balance. It was disruptive could lead to further pilots leaving the company.
“Even before the start of the salary negotiations, a dispute over the new shift roster system had risen – a core issue for pilots as it has a negative impact on their family life. Another obstacle in the salary negations was the company’s new policy on leave and days off,” Cronje added.
“Pilots believe that these policies are detrimental to their quality of life, and that they are unfavourable and do not meet minimum expectations.”
Solidarity has vowed to address the rostering system separately as soon as the salary dispute has been settled, cautioning it could also lead to another strike.
The union and FlySafair are set to finalise strike rules on Thursday at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Separate negotiations are underway on salary increases and better working conditions for cabin members, with Solidarity warning that they are also heading towards a dispute.
INSIDE POLITICS