Pilots, KQ trade accusations over strike
Kenya Airways and Kenya Airline Pilots Associations (Kalpa) are stuck in counter-accusations regarding the cause of the latter’s impending industrial strike that is expected to start next month.
In a rejoinder to KALPA’s strike notice, KQ refuted allegations that it remains unbothered to resolve the contentious issues raised by the union, saying the management is not aware of the strike notice since the listed grievances have never been raised during the previous engagements.
“The notice by the union is surprising and disappointing considering that the KQ management has always engaged the union officials in consultative meetings following the agreed-upon engagement protocols.
During these official meetings, there has been no matter recorded as disagreed,” Kenya Airways Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka said in response.
According to the CEO, the union officials have neither used nor exhausted the dispute resolution mechanisms that are available to them as per the labour laws. Kalpa Secretary General Murithi Nyagah had in a letter to Kilavuka dated October 19, accused KQ management of unilaterally withdrawing the Staff Provident Fund.
The union also accused the national carrier of harassing the officials.
