Air Zimbabwe pilots and cabin crew go on strike

By Patrick Chidzero (Business Correspondent)

At least 60 pilots and cabin crew working for struggling Air Zimbabwe are reported to have gone on strike over their conditions of service and payment of allowances. There is still some confusion with several reports citing different salary figures the pilots are supposed to be receiving.

Some reports say the pilots are getting US$2509 per month. The pilots were initially getting an additional US$10 000 a month in allowances but the airline is said to have stopped paying these in February 2009 in what they said was an attempt to reduce costs.

Air Zimbabwe chairman Jonathan Kadzura however told state television that even without the allowances the pilots were being paid at least US$1200 a month. ‘Air Zimbabwe, as an employer, cannot afford to pay the salaries being demanded by the pilots,” he said. He said even US$1200 was outrageously high given the state of the economy.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Chikumba has also confirmed the strike and told reporters that Air Zimbabwe management was holding a crisis meeting to resolve the dispute. Nehanda Radio.com understands the pilots have been offered an extra US$1000 but they have rejected this outright.

The pilots meanwhile have also expressed concern over the airlines old equipment and lack of facilities for proper rest between long haul flights especially to the Far East. Their strike is reported to have left two planes abandoned on the runway at Harare International Airport and is affecting local and international flights.