[imagesource:flickr]

South African Airways pilots have threatened to go on strike over a salary increase dispute with the national carrier.

Threatening to clip the airline’s wings, the pilots are demanding a 15.7% salary hike with added benefits. The company is only offering 8.46%, saying it cannot afford the proposed offer.

South African Airways Pilots Association initially tabled a demand for a 30% wage increase when negotiations started in May. However, the Association has since reduced its wage demand.

SAA management stated that the pilots’ suggested salary offer might have a negative impact on the company’s regaining operational sustainability, potentially leading to bankruptcy.

The airline was placed under business rescue between 2019 and 2021 and has since been debt-free and financially sustainable, thanks to a profit increase in the current fiscal year – the first in almost a decade.

Lead at SAA Group Corporate Affairs, Vimla Maistry, said “Following extended wage negotiations South African Airways has received notification from the SAA Pilots Association of a potential strike action.  The SAA management team is committed to a fair resolution and is implementing contingency measures to ensure that any disruptions to our operations are as minimal as possible for our valued customers, especially during the busy December season.”

The pilots argued that amid the airline’s troubles, they were subjected to substantial wage cuts, stagnating incomes, and deteriorating working conditions.

Both parties state that they are dedicated to obtaining a fair and mutually beneficial solution. Meanwhile, the airline said it was putting in place contingency plans to ensure that service disruptions were kept to a minimum.

With scores of tourists flocking to South Africa in the next few weeks, let’s hope they figure this out. Just don’t ask taxpayers for another bailout.

[source:ewn&sabcnews]