FlySafair and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) have reached a settlement in their wage dispute, signalling a possible end to the unrest that has affected crew operations for several weeks.
According to IOL, the agreement is materially similar to the proposal FlySafair initially tabled, which SACCA had rejected before the dispute escalated.
The airline confirmed that both parties have now signed a multi-year deal covering cabin crew and pilots, ensuring labour stability for the next four years.
The agreement includes:
- Annual salary increases of between 6% and 6.9%
- A guaranteed 7.5% annual bonus
- Additional allowances and progression increases
- Improvements to uniform and commission structures
FlySafair said it regrets that earlier acceptance could have prevented an additional unpaid week for union members but reiterated its respect for the collective bargaining process.
The airline said it now looks ahead to restoring full operational reliability ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the festive travel period.
The settlement follows a tense period of negotiations. Earlier this month, SACCA accused FlySafair of introducing new clauses that had not been discussed during bargaining, including what the union described as a proposed “lunch-hour sacrifice.”
SACCA president Christopher Shabangu said union representatives were surprised to find additional terms in the final contract offered for signature.
The dispute escalated when FlySafair implemented a lockout after SACCA refused to sign the revised agreement. SACCA insisted that workers had already accepted the core wage offer but could not endorse clauses that had not been approved by members.
The union argued that the disagreement was not only about pay but also about working conditions and transparency in the negotiation process.
FlySafair maintained that operations continued without disruption throughout the dispute. Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon said more than two-thirds of cabin crew reported for duty even during the lockout, adding that the airline had scheduled a reduced November timetable to ensure service stability during the festive season.
The CCMA had been preparing to intervene before Friday’s settlement was reached.
FlySafair said the agreement ensures “long-term stability” for the business and recognises the “valuable contribution of cabin crew.”
SACCA has not yet issued its own formal statement on the settlement, but union officials have confirmed that members have been informed of the agreement and that normal operations are expected to resume.
