Tensions have boiled over between FlySafair and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) as wage negotiations took an unexpected turn this week.
The union has accused the airline of using “strong-arm tactics” and locking workers out after they refused to sign an agreement that included previously unseen clauses, one of which involved giving up lunch breaks.
According to SACCA president Christopher Shabangu, the two parties had already agreed on a 5.7% salary increase, but when union representatives arrived to sign the deal on Monday, they were shocked to find additional terms in the final contract.
“When we went to sign the offer at FlySafair, on arrival we discovered that they had included clauses that had not been negotiated with us,” said Shabangu.
“We are a member-driven union; we can’t sign something that the members didn’t agree to.”
One of those clauses involved a so-called “lunch-hour sacrifice,” which Shabangu said was never discussed during the negotiation process.
Under South African labour law, anyone working more than five hours is entitled to a one-hour lunch break. SACCA maintains that while they are open to discussing ways to trade that break, for example, in exchange for off-days or compensation, it must be done transparently and with the consent of cabin crew.
The dispute escalated when FlySafair reportedly implemented a lockout on Monday after SACCA refused to sign the revised agreement. Shabangu stressed that workers were ready to resume duty but were prevented from doing so.
“The workers are ready to go to work. They accepted the offer, but management decided to be dubious at the last minute,” he said.
“We don’t even have a strike certificate, so we are not on strike. It is unfair for FlySafair not to tell the truth.”
FlySafair, on the other hand, maintains that operations remain unaffected. Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon confirmed earlier this week that more than two-thirds of the airline’s crew reported for duty on Monday morning.
“All flights are operating as scheduled,” Gordon said.
“We planned a reduced November schedule to prepare for the festive season, which helps us rotate crew and maintain service stability.”
The airline has argued that its final offer was fair and even above the industry average. The proposal included the 5.7% base pay increase, a 7.5% performance bonus, and various allowances, which FlySafair claims would result in a total pay improvement of up to 19% for some employees.
However, SACCA disputes that the issue is purely about money. The union says the standoff is also about working conditions and respect for labour processes.
“We want a fair deal that balances pay increases with job quality,” said Shabangu, emphasising that the union’s core concern was the sudden introduction of new clauses.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is expected to step in later this week to mediate between the parties in an effort to end the deadlock.
While FlySafair insists that “it’s business as usual,” labour analysts say the public standoff could damage the airline’s image at the start of South Africa’s busy holiday travel season.
SACCA has also confirmed that it will meet with FlySafair management again on Thursday, 6 November 2025, to seek a resolution.
