SAA
South African Airways said it was doing everything possible to avoid a strike by pilots following a protracted round of wage negotiations.
Interim chief executive, Professor John Lamola, said in a statement that the airline received a notification from the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) announcing their intention to embark on a strike on Thursday.
“The SAA management is doing everything possible to avoid a strike by pilots or any disruptions to SAA operations, especially during the December peak season.
“SAAPA’s initial demand (tabled in May 2024) was for a 30% increase in pilot salaries, subsequently reduced to 15.7% (plus associated benefits).
“SAA has offered salary increases of 8.46% (backdated to 1 April 2024),” Lamola said.
He said the final wage offer made to SAAPA in September was significantly higher than the general salary increases in South Africa in 2024 and was benchmarked against international pilot salary adjustments.
“The offer to the pilots reflects the airline's commitment to the well-being of its employees within the context of the airline's history, current turnaround programme, and future financial sustainability,” he said.
Professor John Lamola says while SAA recently reported a modest profit, the airline may not by any means claim to be in a financially robust position.
“Ironically, the pilots have chosen to go on strike exactly on the fifth anniversary of the day SAA was placed in Business Rescue in 2019.
“SAA cannot return to the lucrative benefits that SAA pilots have historically enjoyed. Acceding to SAAPA current demand for a 15.7% wage increase will trigger SAA’s decline into bankruptcy”, he said.
Professor Lamola said the team at SAA will ensure that customers, the global travel trade, and all stakeholders are kept fully informed of developments.
“The airline is implementing contingency measures to ensure that disruption to its services will be as minimal as possible”.
