This action, which involves sticking strictly to official working hours and rules, is expected to slow down operations and reduce the airline’s overall efficiency.

The issue comes after months of failed wage negotiations between SAA and two unions representing the pilots, the SAA Pilots Association and the National Transport Movement (NTM). Pilots originally asked for a 30% salary increase but later lowered their demand to 15.7%. Meanwhile, SAA has offered a three-year pay increase, with a 7.3% rise in 2025, followed by a 7.6% increase in both 2026 and 2027.

Ephraim Mphahlele, General Secretary of NTM, explained that the delay in reaching a deal has severely affected the morale of the pilots. The union believes that SAA has been stalling negotiations, leaving them no choice but to take action. Mphahlele said that the unions have given SAA until the end of next week to return to the table for talks. If there’s still no agreement, the protest will be escalated.

Under the work-to-rule protest, pilots are only carrying out duties explicitly outlined in their contracts and will not go beyond their normal responsibilities. This could mean less communication with air traffic control and other operational centres, which might cause some disruptions to flight schedules.

Mphahlele also pointed out that pilots took a pay cut during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left them with a 6% salary shortfall that hasn't been addressed by the airline. The unions are demanding this gap be filled, along with pay increases for the current and upcoming financial years.

If SAA doesn’t meet their demands soon, the pilots have warned that the protest could become more intense.

--ChannelAfrica--