SAA’s pilot wage dispute grounds flights

Hundreds of travellers have been left stranded at OR Tambo International Airport, in Ekurhuleni, due to a wage strike.

Pilots, working for the South African Airways (SAA), are demanding a 15.7% wage hike and improved working conditions.

Long queues of traveler’s formed at SAA’s help desk, with many having missed their flights and others still awaiting communication from the company. 

The queues were filled with young couples, businesspeople traveling for work, and mothers with small children. 

Many travellers said they had woken up to find that their flights had been cancelled.

They also complained about the alleged lack of communication from the airline.

One woman traveling to Ghana expressed her frustration to YNews.

“Before something happens, you see it coming. I mean, their service was already bad, this was already coming,” she said. 

The strike had also affected travellers heading to other destinations, including Brazil. 

“I landed and had a connecting flight to Zambia, but now it’s gone. It’s disappointing, and I’m with two small kids,” complained one passenger.

Another passenger, who was supposed to travel to Brazil, said: “We’ve been standing here for two hours. My flight’s been cancelled, and my whole holiday’s up in shambles.” 

Some of today’s flights were even postponed to Saturday. 

The pilots’ strike came at a busy time for the airline as many are heading out ahead to the festive season.

This has led to traveller’s calling for a speedy resolution to the wage impasse.

The pilots have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met.

They say a 15.7% wage hike will get them back on track to receiving their pre-COVID-19 salaries. 

SAA has offered them an increase of just over 8%, which the pilots have rejected as insufficient. 

The demonstration, led by the National Transport Movement Pilots Forum, came at the back of failed wage negotiations between the pilots and the airline.

Speaking with YNews, the strike committee chairperson, Sibusiso Nxumalo, emphasised that pilots need to be well-rested and mentally happy to perform effectively. 

“You cannot have a pilot that’s tired and productive at the same time. You need time off and to spend with your family,” he said.

Meanwhile, SAA Interim chief executive officer, John Lamola said, “The situation is regrettable…(SAA) is committed to ensuring that all passengers reach their destinations despite the challenges posed and necessary re-accommodations (are made) on other airlines,” he added.