3 November, Johannesburg – FlySafair today confirmed that it anticipates no disruption to its flight schedule as discussions with the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) move into their final stages.
The parties are in an advanced phase of negotiations and are working toward a resolution. Unfortunately no resolution was reached by the close of talks on Monday night meaning that the employer-initiated work stoppage will commence from midnight tonight. The union was formally served notice of the stoppage on Friday last week in terms of the Labour Relations Act.
FlySafair has secured full crew coverage from employees willing to work, and the airline’s schedule remains fully protected.
“Talks are progressing well, and we remain optimistic about concluding an agreement. Importantly, we can reassure customers that our schedule is secure and there will be no interruption to flights,” said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer.
As part of its normal annual planning cycle, FlySafair is currently operating a reduced schedule in November to accommodate pre-festive maintenance, and has onboarded additional crew in preparation for peak season, further reinforcing operational resilience.
Passengers are reminded to ensure that their contact details are correctly captured on bookings, as direct communication will be used should any updates become necessary.
Commitment to Fair Labour Practice
FlySafair emphasised its deep respect for the rights of its cabin crew to strike and the constructive role that collective bargaining plays in building a fair and sustainable workplace. Over several months, the airline has engaged SACCA representatives through formal processes at the CCMA.
Protected Industrial Action is now an option to the parties given that a period of 30 days has passed since a dispute was declared. The union rejection of the company’s latest offer, which included:
• 5.7% salary increase, plus
• A new 7.5% annual bonus, and
• Annual experience-based pay progression
• Additional monthly allowances.
When combined, these elements translate to an eSective increase of between 16% and 19% for employees, who are already earning market related salaries.
“In a climate where most South Africans are receiving increases between 3% and 5%, we believe this offer is both exceptionally generous and responsible,” said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer. “We value our cabin crew enormously and have aimed to strike a balance between rewarding them and safeguarding the long-term sustainability of the airline. Ultimately, we must ensure FlySafair remains viable and affordable for the millions of travellers who rely on us.”
Clarifying the Issues
FlySafair confirmed that SACCA has also raised questions related to the interpretation of certain provisions of the Labour Relations Act. While the airline believes its practices remain fully compliant, it has voluntarily agreed to refer these matters, together with the union, to the Department of Labour for clarity and guidance.
“These matters are separate and not the cause of this industrial action,” Gordon added. “This strike, and the settlement agreement that needs to be signed, is fundamentally about compensation and about members feeling heard, both within the organisation and more broadly. We acknowledge and respect that.”
A Swift and Fair Resolution
FlySafair reiterated its openness to continued engagement and its commitment to treating employees with dignity while acting in the best interests of the business, its workforce, and the travelling public.
The airline remains committed to finding a speedy resolution to this impasse to ensure that South Africa’s air connectivity is protected during the G20 period and ahead of the busy festive season. To support this, after careful deliberation, FlySafair decided to take steps to initiate the employer-initiated work stoppage in terms of the Labour Relations Act: a structured and lawful mechanism which allows the company to call for industrial action to commence, rather than waiting for a strike to be called by the union at a time that may intentionally cause maximum disruption to the flying public. This step is aimed at facilitating a swift and orderly resolution.
Given that the situation has progressed to the work-stoppage, FlySafair will also apply for a Section 150 mediation at the CCMA, a process used where a dispute has public interest implications. This allows senior commissioners to intervene with the objective of securing a fair and rapid settlement, while minimising disruption and cost to the public.
“Our crew play an essential role in delivering a safe, friendly, and reliable service,” Gordon concluded. “We hope to reach an agreement soon and will continue working towards a resolution founded in respect, fairness, and long-term sustainability.”