Solidarity union Chief Executive Officer Dr Dirk Hermann has called on FlySafair CEO Elmar Conradie to intervene directly in the airline’s ongoing pilot strike, warning that the dispute has exposed a deep crisis of trust between the airline and its highly skilled workforce.
In an open letter released on Sunday, July, 27, 2025, Hermann addressed Conradie directly, noting that while neither of them is personally involved in the negotiations, the matter has reached a critical point that requires leadership.
“This open letter deliberately does not form part of the negotiations but is a note between the two of us,” he wrote.
Hermann highlighted that more than 90% of Solidarity’s pilot members voted to continue the strike even after a new offer from FlySafair, an unprecedented move for a professional group that rarely resorts to industrial action.
“Solidarity members only go on strike as a matter of the highest exception… This case is, however, such a highly exceptional one,” he said.
He pointed to a “complete breakdown of trust” between the airline and its pilots and describes their levels of disillusionment as “toxic.”
Drawing on his academic expertise, Hermann added: “I did my PhD in Labour Relations, and my topic was alienation. I can tell you that the alienation levels of your pilots are toxic.”
A core concern is not just remuneration, but the implementation of a new roster system that significantly impacts work-life balance.
Pilots, according to Hermann, are not primarily striking over money but over the loss of meaningful, balanced working conditions. “
They are asking for one weekend off a month,” he explains. “They are looking for balanced jobs and FlySafair has taken that away from them.”
Hermann criticised FlySafair’s handling of the strike, especially the decision to respond to a one-day action with a full week-long lockout, now extended.
“They wanted to show what is going on in their hearts, but then they got hit in the pocket. They have been threatened and bullied,” he said.
He warned that the airline risks an exodus of pilots to international carriers.
While FlySafair achieved record profits in 2024 and reportedly paid out R90 million in shares to executives and R1.31 billion to overseas shareholders, many pilots’ salaries remain below pre-COVID levels.
Hermann argues that the airline’s offer has not kept pace with local and global industry standards, especially given the global shortage of pilots. “
There is a pilot shortage, and it is going to get even worse. This shortage is going to rise above inflation, and so too will their salaries. It is a market reality,” he writes.
“My call to you is to intervene in the negotiations. Don’t look at the sums, but at the people. Be internationally competitive with a total remuneration package that surpasses salary. If you don’t, it will translate into sums, sums you will not like.”
“You must now land this plane that is on strike. Give the pilots what they are asking for and what is good for them, the company and the country,” he said.
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