Mango airline’s flight crews downed tools at 5 am on Monday morning after wage negotiations collapsed.
Solidarity, which represents 95% of the pilots at Mango airline, said wage hike talks with Mango’s management on Sunday collapsed. As a result the union, which also represents flight captains and first officers, said its members had embarked on a strike.
On Sunday night Solidarity deputy general secretary, Deon Reyneke, said: “Notwithstanding the reality that Mango pilots are paid significantly less than the industry standard, management showed no interest whatsoever to negotiate with its employees.
“Mango’s management would not give an inch, confirming that it would not revisit its initial offer of six percent, while the trade union was prepared to adjust its mandate in a bid to let negotiations succeed.”
Mango management could not be immediately reached for comment.