SW Radio Africa (London)
Tichaona Sibanda
21 April 2011
A 30 day strike by pilots at Air Zimbabwe, which led to the cancellation of dozens of domestic, regional and international flights, has ended.
The airline’s regional manager for Europe, David Mwenga, confirmed the latest development to SW Radio Africa on Thursday. He said the first long haul flight from Harare was expected in London late Thursday.
The pilots heeded calls from their union to return to work after reaching an agreement with Air Zimbabwe management and the Transport ministry, the national carrier’s chief executive, Innocent Mavhunga told journalists in Harare. It is the second time in six months that the pilots have been on strike.
It is believed part of the deal will see Air Zimbabwe paying the pilots the outstanding $4 million it owed them in unpaid salaries and allowances.
While on strike, the pilots had told a parliamentary portfolio committee on transport and communication that poor salaries made them unable to meet their family and financial commitments. The pilots said this situation led to stresses that impaired their abilities at the controls, putting passenger safety at great risk. Senior captains at the airline earn just $2,600 a month, well below salaries of their regional counterparts, who earn at least $10,000 a month.
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Air Zimbabwe Pilots End Strike