Only 12% grounded! – FlySafair hits back at ‘fake strike stats’

FlySafair

Cape Town – FlySafair says only 12% of its flights have been cancelled due to a pilot stayaway strike amid a wage dispute with the trade union Solidarity.

According to SABC News, The airline disputes Solidarity’s claim that 90% of its pilots are participating, saying that only two-thirds of its pilots are union members and the majority of flights are operating on schedule.

FlySafair accuses the union of misrepresenting the situation for sensational effect.

“The vast majority of flights are still going to be operated on time as per schedule, but there are about 12% (affected). All details of these flights are available on the travel updates page on our website at flysafair.co.za,” the report quoted the airline’s Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon as saying.


“Unfortunately, the Union has been misrepresenting the numbers, obviously to try and pursue a sensationalist view. So with solidarity reports that nine out of 10 pilots are striking, that’s actually inaccurate. The reality is that only 2/3 of the pilot base are actually represented by the unions.”

A report by TimeOut noted that FlySafair has cancelled up to 20 flights on Monday due to the ongoing industrial action, with disruptions reported at Cape Town International and OR Tambo International airports.

At the heart of the standoff is Solidarity’s demand for a 10.5% increase on base salaries, along with flight pay and bonuses. According to FlySafair, the full package of demands would raise the overall cost to company by over 20% — a figure the airline says is unsustainable.

FlySafair has offered a 5.7% increase in base pay—1.5% above inflation—which it says totals an 11.29% increase in cost to company when additional benefits are factored in.

Article written by