JOHANNESBURG - Mango airline's flight crews downed tools at 5 am on Monday morning after wage negotiations collapsed.
Solidarity, which represents 95 percent 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.
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“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.