Air Zimbabwe Pilots ignore Disciplinary Hearing

Harare, 16 Sept-(ANA)-Striking commercial pilots dismissed by Air Zimbabwe have refused to attend a hearing by management, vowing to continue their strike until their demands are met.

Reports said the pilots were summoned to a disciplinary hearing soon after their dismissal on Tuesday. They were also ordered to surrender their uniforms and other property of Air Zimbabwe.

Airline management said the pilots had disobeyed a lawful order to return to work and failed to fulfil their conditions of employment. The airline's board had previously given the striking pilots 24 hours to go back to work or face dismissal.

Sources said the National Airways Workers Union ordered the pilots not to attend the disciplinary hearings as the pilots had been dismissed.

The airline is said to be losing some US$500,000 a day in operational costs due to the strike. It has hired private carriers to service key Southern African and domestic routes. (ANA)

FA/ANA/16 September 2010------