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The Herald
an hour ago
- Business
- The Herald
'It's not a straightforward job': Pilots seek predictability as Solidarity rejects latest FlySaFair wage offer
Since the introduction of the new rostering system, FlySafair pilots are no longer able to plan their off-time in advance. TimesLIVE spoke to a pilot on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, after trade union Solidarity's rejection of the company's latest wage offer. A pilot who has been in the industry for more than 15 years told TimesLIVE that a year ago the airline introduced a new rostering system to 'optimise the way that the crew is neutralised'. He said before the new system, pilots worked according to what they called 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 they had now introduced was deemed to be a flexible pattern roster with no obvious pattern in the roster algorithm to allow pilots to work out their off days and generally worked on a five-day schedule. ' You fly for a maximum amount of five days, but you have no say when your off days will be. I t 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. FlySafair said on Sunday that the primary point of disagreement centres on the union's demand for the implementation of fixed scheduling rules. 'While the intention behind these proposals is to improve work-life balance, their combined effect would substantially limit the airline's ability to roster pilots efficiently. 'This could, in turn, negatively affect both passengers and the wider crew. As a constructive alternative, FlySafair proposed the formation of an independently chaired joint roster committee comprising both pilot and company representatives. 'This body would be empowered to test and refine proposed scheduling rules in a live environment before implementation — ensuring that any changes are carefully evaluated for their impact on productivity, safety and overall wellbeing,' said the airline. It said that it continues to operate a stable but reduced flight schedule as the new week begins, with more pilots returning to duty each day. The pilot said the impasse was worsened by the fact that they don't employ the correct number of pilots, which then affects the amount of leave that the pilots can take. 'If you work a roster and the leave issues together, you know, it becomes increasingly difficult, you can't forecast your off-time, but you also can't get leave. T he guys are left with very little options in that sense,' he said. He added that pilots' work is not a normal 8am to 4pm job and the new roster adds to fatigue. During a typical week, from day one to day three, they could start very early and suddenly from day four and five be expected to fly from midday till midnight. 'When night-time comes around on day three or four, because you have been awake early in the morning already, you are tired,' he said. According to the pilot, many studies have been done about circadian rhythms and how pilot fatigue needs to be managed. He blamed the airline for allegedly not sticking to industry best practice.
TimesLIVE
18 hours ago
- Health
- TimesLIVE
SCA overturns ruling on R500m Gauteng medical waste tender
'This position was communicated in the department's prior official statements on the matter released on November 30 2023 and reaffirmed on March 3 2024, after the department being granted leave to appeal the matter at the Supreme Court of Appeal.' TimesLIVE previously reported that Buhle Medical Waste had brought an urgent application in the Johannesburg high court to interdict Tshenolo Waste and Phuting Medical Waste Management from commencing their services, pending the outcome of a review into the awarding of the contracts. Tshenolo Waste had been awarded a R314m contract to collect and dispose of medical waste in Tshwane and Joburg, while Phuting Waste received a R211m contract covering the West Rand, Sedibeng and Ekurhuleni. However, in November last year, the high court set aside the tender. In its ruling dated July 15, the SCA found that the high court erred in setting aside administrative action through a declarator. 'The relief granted by the high court ... affected Tshenolo and other parties directly by depriving them of the opportunity to file comprehensive answering affidavits to the review application,' said judge Elizabeth Baartman. Modiba said the ruling affirmed the department's commitment to due process and fairness. He added that it also ensured the uninterrupted delivery of essential services, including the safe and consistent removal of medical waste from health care facilities across the province.
TimesLIVE
20 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Lusikisiki mass murder trial resumes
The trial of six men charged with the murder of 18 people who were massacred at Ngobozana in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape is resuming on Monday. The suspects are facing 19 murder charges, including over a KwaBhaca murder case, and are also charged for being in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Eight weeks have been set aside for the trial to proceed. TimesLIVE
SowetanLIVE
3 days ago
- SowetanLIVE
Police scour Middelpos settlement after new information in Joshlin Smith case
Western Cape police searched an area in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on Friday afternoon chasing leads as part of the investigation into the disappearance of seven-year-old Joshlin Smith. Joshlin's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, Smith's boyfriend Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis, 33, and Steveno van Rhyn, 28, received life sentences for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joshlin in May. An eight-week trial revealed how the trio planned to sell the green-eyed grade 1 pupil with fair skin to a sangoma for R20,000 from their home in the settlement in February last year. 'SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention,' Western Cape police said on Saturday. 'A humble plea is hereby made that the search teams be afforded space to perform their duties as the investigation continues.' Police said on Saturday, even though the three were sentenced for kidnapping and human trafficking, the disappearance without trace of the child remained a priority for police and the investigation was never closed. TimesLIVE
The Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald
Health department takes charge in quest for global TB vaccine in SA
If the clinical trials that are now under way succeed, the world may have a vaccine that can prevent tuberculosis (TB) in adults and adolescents within the next few years, says health minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Motsoaledi was giving the keynote address at a national workshop in Sandton on Wednesday on the creation of a TB vaccine for children and adults. 'This is a beginning of a new chapter where prevention of TB through vaccination will become the order of the day and a groundbreaking innovation,' Motsoaledi said. The workshop was hosted by the department of health in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO). 'For over 100 years, we have relied on the BCG vaccine to protect our children from TB. But we have not had a tool that can protect adolescents and adults', he said. Motsoaledi said the day when an announcement is made on the availability of the vaccine will be a revolutionary and would be like freedom from slavery for citizens. 'The slavery of poverty, which is exacerbated by tuberculosis, premature death of young adults, people losing jobs because of tuberculosis, will come to an end', he said. Motsoaledi emphasised that the key areas that will make the system ready for implementation and rollout of the vaccine will be generating evidence for policy and investments, reliable delivery systems, and production and supply of the TB vaccine. 'These new vaccines will be a game changer for prevention and for reducing the need for TB preventive treatment in health systems', he said. Motsoaledi said the advent of Covid-19 taught the world when urgency met preparation. 'We saw how vaccines could be developed, approved and distributed at record speed but we also learnt that science alone is not enough. Public trust, strong systems, clear communication and equitable access are just as essential,' Motsoaledi said. TimesLIVE
