SAA Pilots Begin Work-to-Rule Action as Wage Negotiations Hit Turbulence

South African Airways (SAA) pilots have initiated a ‘work-to-rule’ industrial action, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over wages and working conditions. The action, which began yesterday, comes after months of tense negotiations between the South African Airways Pilots Association (Saapa), the National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilot Forum, and SAA management.

What is Work-to-Rule?

Work-to-rule actions involve employees performing their duties strictly according to their contracts and safety regulations, without any additional flexibility or overtime. While not a full strike, this approach can significantly disrupt airline operations, leading to delays and cancellations.

A Clash of Perspectives

SAA’s group chief executive, Professor John Lamola, expressed “deep regret” over the pilots’ decision, particularly in light of what he described as a “comprehensive and favourable final offer” presented earlier this month. The offer included a three-year salary increase agreement with incremental raises of 3% annually from April 2025 through April 2027, alongside CPI adjustments. It also introduced a longevity salary progression model, agreements on duty hours, additional leave days, increased rebate travel benefits, and pilot participation in rostering technology specifications.

“We consider our offer to the pilots both fair and generous, especially given the financial challenges the airline continues to face,” Lamola said in a media release.

Pilots’ Rejection and Demands

Despite the airline’s offer, pilot representatives have deemed it insufficient. The industrial action follows a series of increasingly strained negotiations that began in May 2024, when pilots initially demanded a 30% salary increase, later revised to 15.7%. The rejection of SAA’s final offer has led to the current work-to-rule action, which threatens to disrupt the airline’s operations.

A Sensitive Time for SAA

The industrial action comes at a critical juncture for SAA, which has been showing signs of recovery after years of financial turmoil. In November 2024, the airline reported its first net profit since 2012, with the company and its subsidiaries posting R252-million in the black for the 2022/23 financial year. This marked a remarkable turnaround from the combined R23.5-billion in losses over the previous four years.

SAA’s operational performance had also been improving, with total revenue increasing by 183% from R2-billion to R5.7-billion year-on-year. The airline successfully transformed its operations from a negative earnings position of R1-billion to a positive R277-million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation.

Balancing Act for SAA

The dispute highlights the challenging balancing act facing SAA: addressing employee expectations while ensuring the airline’s financial sustainability. In November 2024, SAA implemented an average 7.2% salary increase and increased medical aid subsidies, which pilots rejected, leading to a previous strike in December.

Commitment to Resolution

Both SAA management and pilot representatives have expressed a commitment to continuing negotiations. The airline has assured the public that it has “implemented strong contingency measures to minimise the impact of this industrial action” and remains “committed to ensuring uninterrupted service and real-time updates on flight statuses for passengers and partners alike”.

“We are fully dedicated to reaching an agreement,” Lamola assured stakeholders, while pilot representatives have similarly expressed a desire for resolution rather than prolonged conflict.

The work-to-rule action by SAA pilots underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the airline as it seeks to balance employee demands with financial sustainability. While the action threatens to disrupt operations, both parties remain committed to finding a resolution. As negotiations continue, the focus will be on minimising the impact on passengers and ensuring the airline’s hard-won recovery remains on track.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com