[Image: Flickr]
South African Airways (SAA) pilots have announced they will begin ‘work-to-rule’ industrial action.
This follows unhappiness with the airline’s final wage offer, according to the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilot Forum.
According to Business Tech, ‘work-to-rule’ is a form of industrial action where employees adhere strictly to official rules and working hours, intentionally reducing output and efficiency. Often referred to as a go-slow, the idea is to apply pressure on employers without disrupting operations entirely.
In response, Professor John Lamola, CEO of SAA Group, said that the airline has implemented “robust contingency measures to minimize the impact of the industrial action”. As reported by Algoa FM, he emphasised that while SAA anticipates minimal disruption to services, real-time flight status updates will be provided to keep passengers informed.
“Our priority is to resolve outstanding issues collaboratively, ensuring continuity of services, and minimizing inconvenience to our valued customers while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational reliability.”
SAA also defended its final offer as fair, considering the financial challenges and operational pressures facing the airline. The proposed deal includes a three-year salary increase plan, along with a new longevity salary progression model for pilots. The total package offers a 7.3% increase in 2025, followed by a 7.6% increase in 2026 and 2027.
As part of the ongoing negotiations, SAA has agreed to SAAPA’s proposals on rostering, ensuring that the changes will not interfere with pilot schedules or the airline’s flight routes. The updated rostering system is set to take effect on May 1, 2025.
SAA has also confirmed that talks with the worker associations will continue.
[Source: Getaway]
