Rostering issue at heart of pilot strike, says Solidarity

As FlySafair and trade union Solidarity met at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in a bid to resolve the ongoing strike by some of its pilots, a union representative said it would be prepared to review its salary demands as long as the airline meets its request to change a new aircrew rostering system.

- Citizen reporter

Solidarity deputy general secretary Helgard Cronje told radio station CapeTalk: "If we can find a resolution on the rostering issue, the discussions surrounding the rest will probably be a lot easier."

Cronje claimed FlySafair has been misleading the public when sharing information about the hours that pilots work, creating an impression that pilots do not work long and hard hours.

The rostering issue is a no-cost issue for the airline, so there should be no reason for them to reject the demands, Cronje said.

The airline said all flights scheduled yesterday were operating as planned, despite the ongoing industrial action.