South African Airways (SAA) has announced that its pilots have accepted a revised salary and benefits package, effectively ending the work-to-rule industrial action that had been in place. This agreement marks the successful conclusion of the 2024 wage negotiations for the pilots’ bargaining unit.
Group CEO Prof. M. John Lamola expressed satisfaction with the pilots’ decision, stating, “We are pleased to see the pilots recommit to their roles and return to the flight deck. Their resolution aligns with the airline’s best interests, its entire workforce, and, most importantly, the thousands of customers who depend on SAA to connect them to destinations across South Africa, the continent, and the globe.”
The work-to-rule action, initiated earlier this year, involved pilots adhering strictly to their contractual obligations without undertaking additional duties, which impacted the airline’s operations. The resolution of this industrial action is seen as a pivotal moment for SAA, as it aims to restore stability and enhance cooperation between management and pilots.
While specific details of the revised salary and benefits package have not been publicly disclosed, the agreement is understood to include enhanced salary increments and benefit adjustments that acknowledge the pilots’ contributions while ensuring the airline’s financial sustainability.
This development follows previous industrial actions, including a strike in December 2024 that led to the cancellation of flights to destinations such as Perth and São Paulo. The resolution of the current wage negotiations is expected to prevent similar disruptions and support SAA’s ongoing recovery efforts.
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