Business

Flight disruption looms as aviation workers begin strike

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 07:09 | By

Travel operations across major airports in the country risk being disrupted after aviation workers announced a strike even as the  government vowed to appeal against the decision. Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) Secretary-General Moss Ndiema told the employees to down their tools effective Tuesday.

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), however, said it will be heading to court to appeal against the decision assuring the public that the issue will be resolved.

“We would like to inform the public and all its stakeholders that the announcement by Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) on the withdrawal of labour by KAA employees is based on an Order issued by the Employment and Labour Relations Court,” said KAA.

“The Authority has proceeded to appeal against the said Order. In the meantime, we wish to assure the general public and airport stakeholders that operations at all our airports are normal,” the authority said in a press statement.

Bargaining agreement

The workers’ lobby issued a strike notice in April in protest against Kenya Airport Authority’s failure to conclude and implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which was negotiated and agreed upon in 2019. The strike will affect security, customer service, firemen, and ground flight safety staff across all KAA airports in the country.

Wildlife and bird controllers, engineers as well as plumbers will also be expected to down their tool. The authority has had a long-running battle with unionisable Kawu members over pay increases. The latest standoff looks set to distabillise operations across major travel facilities. 

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