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SAA Pilots End Strike, Operations Resume

Johannesburg – The strike by South African Airways (SAA) pilots has been lifted, allowing flights to recommence following their unions’ attainment of a conditional agreement regarding the wage increase dispute.

As a result of the strike, which initiated on Thursday, (5 December 2024), over half of SAA flights—primarily to international destinations—were cancelled.

However, on Saturday morning, (7 November 2024), reports surfaced indicating that the unions, namely the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement Pilots Forum (NTM-PF), had reached a conditional accord with SAA management to meet the pilots’ requirements.

In a statement shared on X, SAA management confirmed the strike suspension, stating, “We are pleased to announce that the pilots’ strike, which commenced on 5 December 2024, has been suspended as of 02:00 this morning.”

The statement further elaborated: “This resolution comes after fruitful negotiations between the SAA Executive Management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA).

“Management has proposed an extra 1% salary hike, bringing the total increase to 9.47% for SAA pilots.

SAA CEO Professor John Lamola commented, “As part of the agreement that resolved the wage negotiation deadlock, discussions on a continuous enterprise improvement program will take place over the next eight weeks.

“We are dedicated to instituting work-life concessions that will augment the productivity of our renowned pilots.”

Professor Lamola projected that SAA would restore a 100% flight schedule by Sunday, 8 December 2024, with over 100 pilots expected to be back on duty by 12:00 today, (7 December 2024).

“SAA expresses its sincere gratitude to our valued customers for their patience, understanding, and support during this period,” he stated.

Customers are encouraged to check the SAA website www.flysaa.com and social media platforms for updates related to the SAA flight schedule.

See post on X: https://twitter.com/flysaa/status/1865306601537573024

Long lines were observed at SAA counters at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning.

The strike was initiated following unsuccessful wage negotiations.

Initially, SAAPA demanded a 30% pay raise, which was later revised to 15.7% (along with associated benefits).

Conversely, SAA proposed an 8.46% increase retroactive to April 2024.

“SAA’s final wage offer, extended to SAAPA on 24 September 2024, is considerably higher than the general salary increments in South Africa for 2024,” stated the airline’s management.

The airline further noted that its final offer was benchmarked against international pilot salary adjustments and aligned with what was awarded to the rest of SAA staff in June 2024.

Due to the deadlock, pilots affiliated with SAAPA initiated the strike, leading to 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 growing from R2 billion to R5.7 billion.

“Remarkably, SAA reached this achievement while operating with only six to eight aircraft across nine destinations at the start of the 2022/23 financial year,”

Ntshavheni, speaking on the outcomes of the latest Cabinet meeting, indicated that SAA has doubled its fleet, launched intercontinental routes, and expanded its network to 16 destinations.

Looking back:



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