Toxic skies: FlySafair pilots reach breaking point

Update

NATIONAL NEWS - The looming clash between toxic labour relations at FlySafair and the upcoming Emirates Airlines pilot roadshows in South Africa this August, set to recruit up to 550 pilots for 2025, could see FlySafair lose some of its best and most experienced senior pilots, leaving the airline exposed to future skills shortages.

This is according to SA Flyer Magazine's publisher and editor, Dr Guy Leitch. He told Newsroom Afrika earlier this week that the Emirates was a popular destination for South African pilots as Dubai had a similar time zone, making it easy to travel to and from work from Johannesburg.

According to a well-placed industry insider who asked not to be named, pilot shortages may inevitably hit the public deep in their pockets as fewer available seats may trigger an escalation in flight ticket prices.

A large percentage of FlySafair's pilots officially downed tools on Monday 21 July, following a wage negotiation deadlock with trade union Solidarity.

The main driving force behind the strike is not money, but a new algorithmic flight roster scheduling system that reportedly disrupts the pilots' work/life balance and their rest time, thus creating working conditions they feel disregard their well-being.

In the last round of negotiations (prior to publication), the airline's latest offer was rejected on Sunday 27 July.

SA Flyer Magazine's publisher and editor, Dr Guy Leitch.

The pilots asked for four things:

• A predictable and humane roster that allows them to live healthy lives

• Fair and competitive salaries, corrected to pre-Covid levels

• A voice in decisions that impact their lives and safety

• Respect for the work they do and the responsibility they carry.

However, the airline said giving the pilots what they want would sustainably limit its ability to roster pilots efficiently, which could, in turn, negatively impact passengers and crew.

As a so-called constructive alternative, FlySafair proposed the formation of an independently chaired joint roster committee comprising both pilot and company representatives. This body would be empowered to test and refine proposed scheduling rules in a live environment before implementation, ensuring that any changes are carefully evaluated for their impact on productivity, safety and overall well-being.

"We had hoped that our proposal, which was designed to give pilots a meaningful say in shaping their roster parameters, would be well received. We're disappointed that Solidarity has chosen not to pursue this collaborative approach." said Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair.

Duncan Gillespie.

Pilots and their wives speak up

A subsequent volley of open letters by various affected parties have set up somewhat of a tennis match of back-and-forth blows.

An anonymous letter, ostensibly written by a FlySafair pilot's wife and shared on the closed Facebook group, FlyAfrica, by group administrator Duncan Gillespie, explains the impact the lamented working conditions were having on families.

"Since 2022, my husband has only been able to attend two of our son's rugby matches on a Saturday [...] We rarely see him, sometimes days go by without us even crossing paths [...] Even if there's a special occasion such as a birthday, an anniversary or a family event and he puts in a request for time off, it simply gets declined.

There's no flexibility or consideration. This lifestyle is not just tough on the pilots, it's taking a serious toll on their families. Some marriages are under immense strain because the stress and fatigue spill over into home life, creating tension and emotional distance."

Human beings responsible for hundreds of lives at a time

An open letter written by the FlySafair pilots who are represented by trade union Solidarity states that this year alone, 37 highly trained, experienced pilots have resigned in search of stability and respect.

"After years of remaining silent, trusting promises of stability, fairness and recognition, we find ourselves amid the longest pilot strike in South African history. This strike is not about greed. It is about dignity, safety, fairness and being heard," the letter states.

The pilots said the technology that promised efficiency has instead had a far more brutal outcome, including minimal rest, erratic schedules and zero regard for basic human needs. When the pilots asked for one weekend off a month, they were apparently told the algorithm doesn't like rules.

"This is the kind of cold logic we are up against. But aviation is not a factory. Pilots are not products of a shift system. We are human beings responsible for hundreds of lives at a time.

"Predictability, rest and mental well-being are not luxuries, but necessities that are being stripped away," the pilots said.

Overstated salaries and downplayed flight hours

In addition, the pilots said concerns around fatigue, safety and staff attrition are regularly brushed aside or met with intimidation.

Despite public claims, most pilots earn far less than the reported R1.8m to R2.4m, and salaries have yet to return to pre-Covid levels, despite promises made during the pandemic.

Flight hours are also being misrepresented. While reports suggest an average of 63 hours a month, many line pilots are flying between 85 and over 100 hours.

That is excluding standby duty, training and ground tasks. Total duty time often exceeds 180 hours per month, dangerously close to the legal cap of 200.

In the meantime, FlySafair has secured a legal exemption to schedule pilots for up to 120 flying hours per month, a move the pilots believe is unacceptable in a safety-critical industry. They feel they are also being denied leave due to ongoing crew shortages.

In addition, they claim that although the airline has financially recovered from the pandemic, their working conditions remain unchanged and salaries are still 10% below pre-Covid levels. "We continue to work without loss-of-licence cover, proper disability protection or fair, transparent scheduling."

Solidarity's CEO, Dr Dirk Hermann.

Toxic staff alienation and looming pilot exodus

In a open letter to FlySafair CEO Elmar Conradie, dated 27 July, Solidarity CEO Dr Dirk Hermann said there was a complete breakdown of trust between the airline and its key staff.

"I did my PhD in Labour Relations and my topic was alienation. I can tell you that the alienation levels of your pilots are toxic," he said, warning that rebuilding trust after the strike will be difficult.

He said FlySafair cannot compete internationally when it comes to salaries. "The changed roster and offer on the table have weakened FlySafair's total offer, apart from salaries.

"In a highly competitive aviation environment, this will lead to an exodus of pilots, which will have catastrophic consequences for the company, its employees and the country," he said.

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