TimesLIVE reports that since the introduction of a new rostering system, FlySafair pilots are no longer able to plan their off-time in advance. According to a pilot who has been in the industry for more than 15 years, the airline introduced a new rostering system to “optimize” the way that the crew is utilised.

Before the new system, pilots worked according to a pattern roster, where they worked for six days, rested for two days, and then worked another six days and rested for three days. This allowed them to predict when they would have off days, enabling them to plan their leave and family events. What has now been introduced is a flexible pattern roster with no obvious pattern in the roster algorithm to allow pilots to work out their off days. “You fly for a maximum amount of five days, but you have no say when your off days will be. It becomes a variable pattern. The pilots are struggling to forecast when their off days will be and it's very difficult to make family commitments and to schedule your off time effectively,” said the pilot. He went on to indicate: “Essentially all we are asking for is one weekend off a month and some basic protection around how the roster is structured.” FlySafair confirmed on Sunday that a primary point of disagreement with Solidarity centered on the trade union's demand for the implementation of fixed scheduling rules. Helgard Cronje from Solidarity, which has rejected the airline’s latest offer, said they were hoping to meet the airline management again on Tuesday.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE
• Read too, FlySafair strike drags on with more than 90% of unionised pilots rejecting offer, at The Citizen

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