DailySun
Johannesburg – The strike involving South African Airways (SAA) pilots has been called off, permitting flights to resume after their unions secured a conditional agreement concerning the wage increase dispute.
Due to the strike, which began on Thursday, (5 December 2024), more than half of SAA flights—mostly to international locations—were cancelled.
Nevertheless, on Saturday morning, (7 November 2024), it was reported that the unions, specifically the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement Pilots Forum (NTM-PF), had come to a conditional arrangement with SAA management to address the pilots’ demands.
In a statement shared on X, SAA management confirmed the suspension of the strike, declaring, “We are happy to inform that the pilots’ strike, which started on 5 December 2024, has been suspended as of 02:00 this morning.”
The statement further explained: “This resolution follows successful negotiations between the SAA Executive Management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA).
“Management has offered an additional 1% salary increase, bringing the total to 9.47% for SAA pilots.
SAA CEO Professor John Lamola remarked, “As part of the agreement that broke the wage negotiation stalemate, discussions on ongoing enterprise improvement programs will occur over the next eight weeks.
“We are committed to implementing work-life balance measures that will enhance the productivity of our esteemed pilots.”
Professor Lamola anticipates that SAA will restore a full flight schedule by Sunday, 8 December 2024, with more than 100 pilots expected to return to work by 12:00 today, (7 December 2024).
“SAA extends its heartfelt thanks to our valued customers for their patience, understanding, and support during this challenging time,” he stated.
Customers are encouraged to visit the SAA website www.flysaa.com and their social media channels for updates on the SAA flight schedule.
See post on X: https://twitter.com/flysaa/status/1865306601537573024
Long queues were reported at SAA counters at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning.
The strike was initiated following failed wage negotiations.
Initially, SAAPA called for a 30% pay increase, which was later adjusted to 15.7% (along with additional benefits).
In contrast, SAA proposed an 8.46% increase retroactively effective from April 2024.
“SAA’s final wage proposal, presented to SAAPA on 24 September 2024, is significantly higher than the standard salary increases across South Africa for 2024,” stated the airline’s management.
The airline also mentioned that its final offer was compared with international pilot salary adjustments and aligned with the awards given to the rest of SAA staff in June 2024.
Due to the deadlock, pilots belonging to SAAPA initiated the strike, resulting in the cancellation of 60% of SAA flights, primarily on international routes.
In a related update earlier this week, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced: “For the first time since 2012, SAA has reported a net profit of R252 million for the 2022/23 financial year, with group revenue increasing from R2 billion to R5.7 billion.
“Notably, SAA achieved this while operating with only six to eight aircraft across nine destinations at the start of the 2022/23 financial year,”
Ntshavheni, discussing the results of the latest Cabinet meeting, stated that SAA has doubled its fleet, launched international routes, and expanded its network to 16 destinations.
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