Is FlySafair’s ‘fair’ shift proposal for real? Put it in writing, Solidarity demands, as talks resume
Negotiations between FlySafair and Solidarity, the union representing its striking pilots, were set to resume on Wednesday afternoon, with the airline’s controversial shift scheduling system still leading the agenda.
There appears to be a level of miscommunication between the parties following FlySafair’s latest statement to the media, issued on Wednesday morning. The low-cost carrier said its pilots were indeed guaranteed rest weekends in the new shift schedule, and that pilots had access to the schedule.
However, in a statement released later on Wednesday, Solidarity said this was “new information” that had never been mentioned during the previous negotiations.
The union’s deputy general secretary, Helgard Cronjé, said there was no valid reason why FlySafair should not agree in writing to the pilots’ demands regarding the shift schedule.
“The request for a three-day weekend in a five-week cycle cannot be accommodated by their system’s algorithm, according to FlySafair. Such a shift schedule was among our conditions that were rejected. Yet some of our proposals are already being accommodated and used in the very system,” Cronjé said.
“Our request is simply this: put the agreement in writing so that the pilots can hold the company to it”.
He claimed that FlySafair was refusing to put these provisions in writing, describing them as “soft” rules that the company could change as it sees fit.
FlySafair said its most recent settlement proposal, which was rejected by the union, was designed to empower the pilot body to shape its own roster rules through an independently chaired committee.
Solidarity stated that it is accepted practice in South African labour law for an employee’s terms of employment, including working hours, to be stipulated in an employment contract.
“It’s simple. Take these rules that are already being implemented and let’s put them in an agreement so that pilots can enjoy the same protection as other employees,” Cronjé added.
“Instead, the company’s conditions on which they were prepared to give the pilots a vote on a committee were that the pilots would first have to give up their right to strike on the issue. Furthermore, the committee will also have no powers to enforce recommendations”.
Solidarity believes that pilots would be signing away their only constitutional right, while the company retains its full powers to implement decisions.
“The company’s argument is that we are seeking operational control (on behalf of the pilots). An agreement in which they have a say on shifts protects a basic right and is certainly not a takeover of operational control,” Cronjé explained.
“It rather serves as protection for an employee so that an employer’s powers are limited to its business interests and so that it does not control the employee’s life”.
In its statement released on Wednesday, FlySafair said it was committed to reaching an outcome that protects the long-term health of the business and supports the well-being of all its employees.
The pilot strike is now in its second week, with no resolution in sight. Over the weekend, Solidarity said FlySafair’s offer of a 5.7% pay increase was largely acceptable, but the rostering system remained a point of contention.
An open letter from the pilots, issued on Tuesday – read the full statement here – raised concerns over safety, fatigue, and a culture of intimidation at the airline. Pilots have been asking for fairer working conditions and at least one guaranteed weekend off per month.
“Let us be clear: this strike is not about greed. It is about dignity. It is about safety. It is about fairness. It is about being heard,” the letter declared.
Although FlySafair claims its pilots average 63 flight hours per month, Solidarity countered that many line pilots fly 85 to over 100 hours monthly.
Amid the strike, FlySafair said it continues to operate a “stable but reduced” flight schedule, with more pilots returning to duty each day.
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