FLYSAFAIR STRIKE ENDS

After 12 years, the FlySafair strike is finally over.

The strike, noted as the longest pilot strike in South African history, was based on the ongoing battle between the airline and its pilots about the rosters.

Trade union Solidarity represented most of the pilots while the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) facilitated the proposed settlement.

Helgard Cronje, Deputy General of the trade union, said the settlement led to a more structured and transparent shift roster system.

BusinessTech reports that one of the central issues in the dispute was time off for pilots. The new agreement stipulates that pilots will get at least one uninterrupted 60-hour weekend break every six weeks, amounting to a minimum of nine weekends off annually. 

Other issues settled on include the ability pilots now have to swap shifts among themselves as well as at least ten days off per month.

The matter of increases was settled, and salary increases over the next four years have been estimated at 6%, 6.5%, 6.8%, and 6.9%.

One of the biggest hurdles faced by Solidarity was FlySafair’s unwillingness to communicate. Cronje says this led to Solidarity using media and open letters to communicate with FlySafair’s management.

Image credit: FlySafair