Salary negotiations between FlySafair and the trade union Solidarity have officially reached a deadlock, paving the way for a potential pilot strike in the coming days.

The deadlock follows three months of talks over improved employment conditions. FlySafair’s final offer of a 5.7% salary increase, along with additional adjustments to pilot remuneration, was overwhelmingly rejected by Solidarity members.

Helgard Cronje, Deputy General Secretary of Solidarity, said the rejection is not just about the offer itself but reflects a broader breakdown in trust. “The relationship between pilots and FlySafair’s management is at an absolute low,” he said.

The situation is further complicated by an earlier dispute over a new shift roster system — a core concern for pilots who say it negatively affects their family life. That issue remains unresolved and could spark a second strike after the salary-related action.

Also at the centre of pilot frustrations are recent changes to the company’s policies on leave and rest days, which pilots argue are harmful to their quality of life and fall short of minimum expectations.

Strike rules between the parties will be finalised on Thursday, 17 July, under the guidance of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). This will trigger a 72-hour countdown before any legal industrial action can commence.

In the meantime, FlySafair is also engaged in salary negotiations with its cabin crew — talks that Solidarity warns may also be heading towards a dispute.

“These negotiations highlight a failure in labour relations,” said Cronje. “The broken relationship between management and pilots has now led to a situation where the public may feel the impact of unresolved workplace conflict.”