|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
South African Airways (SAA), the nation’s flagship carrier, found itself grounded on certain routes Thursday, December 5, week as a pilot strike over pay and working conditions disrupted international operations. The airline, which has been clawing its way back to stability after years of financial trouble, canceled flights to São Paulo and Perth, citing an inability to reroute passengers.
The strike, organized by the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA), came after prolonged and contentious pay negotiations. Talks initially began in May with SAAPA demanding a 30% salary increase for pilots, later scaling back the request to 15.7%. However, SAA offered an 8.46% raise, arguing that anything higher could derail its recovery. “The financial impact of meeting these demands would push the company back to the brink of bankruptcy,” Interim CEO John Lamola warned in a statement.
The situation escalated when SAAPA announced their intent to strike, leaving the airline scrambling for solutions. By Wednesday night, SAA conceded that it could not secure alternative arrangements for its São Paulo and Perth passengers. “After exhausting all options, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel these routes,” said Khaya Buthelezi, SAA’s senior corporate relations manager.
On Thursday, pilots gathered outside SAA’s offices at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, carrying placards and chanting slogans. Despite the picketing, SAA managed to maintain operations on domestic and African routes, thanks to contingency plans. Lamola reassured customers that the airline was still flying, albeit with minor disruptions.
For the pilots, the strike goes beyond financial compensation. “We’re not just asking for a share of the airline’s profits; we’re asking for dignity and better working conditions,” said SAAPA representative Sibusiso Nxumalo in an interview with SABC.
The association insists that pilots have endured subpar conditions since the airline entered bankruptcy protection in 2019. Many argue that while SAA’s financial situation has improved, the benefits have not trickled down to its workforce.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.