A file photo of a SAA plane at OR Tambo Airport in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. Photo: Independent Newspapers
The SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement Pilots Forum (NTM-PF) have warned of a secondary strike notice that could bring the airline to a complete halt.
The notice, which was expected later yesterday, aims to include ground crew and other staff if SAA does not improve its 8.46% wage increase offer to meet the 15.7% demanded by pilots.
The ongoing strike, which began yesterday, has already disrupted operations, forcing SAA to suspend its Perth, Australia, and São Paulo, Brazil, routes and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at its service desks.
Pilots picketed outside SAA’s office at OR Tambo International Airport, calling on the airline to return to the negotiating table.
NTM-PF general secretary Ephraim Mphahlele said that as of yesterday, 60% of pilots had joined the strike, with more expected to participate as they returned from international duties, bumping this figure up to 85%.
“SAA is still dilly-dallying. We are hoping sanity prevails and they come back to the negotiating table. If they continue being rigid, we will issue a secondary strike notice for the ground crew and completely shut down the company,” Mphahlele said.
SAA announced in a travel advisory that the strike would affect the flights it operates on the routes between Johannesburg to the following locations: Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek, and Mauritius.
In a joint statement, SAAPA Captain Graham Botes and NTM-PF Captain Lerato Nyamande criticised SAA management, stating: “While SAA has reported modest profits, management has failed to prioritise the needs of its workforce regarding improved working conditions and conditions of employment or recognise their role in ensuring the airline’s operational success.”
The statement said that employees have made significant sacrifices in the last couple of years.
“They have suffered massive pay cuts, endured stagnant salaries and eroding working conditions, this in support of the airline during its most challenging period in recent history. Our aim is not for prolonged action or disruption, but to achieve tangible progress on these unresolved matters. We remain fully committed to open dialogue with the company throughout the strike and beyond, as we all work together to find workable solutions,” it said.
SAA interim CEO John Lamola responded yesterday, maintaining that the airline is operational despite the strike.
“This situation is regrettable, and we acknowledge the trust our customers place in us for their travel needs. We are committed to ensuring that all passengers reach their destinations despite the challenges posed by a limited schedule and necessary re-accommodations on other airlines,“ Lamola said.
Lamola also noted that SAA had hoped its offer would be accepted by the pilots. “Despite some alterations and restrictions to the SAA schedule and services during this period, SAA remains operational and continues to serve its passengers,” he added.
The pilots initially demanded a 30% pay increase, later reducing this to 15.7%, including associated benefits. SAA’s final offer is an 8.46% increase backdated to April 2024, which it claims aligns with increases given to other staff and is benchmarked against international pilot salary adjustments.
Flight Centre South Africa urged travellers booked on SAA flights to contact their travel providers or the airline directly for updates, rebooking options, or alternative arrangements.
“Flight Centre understands the inconvenience and uncertainty caused by the SAA strike, particularly during this critical travel period,” said Euan McNeil, Flight Centre South Africa managing director. “We are fully focused on helping our customers navigate this situation and will continue to provide regular updates as new information becomes available.”
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