Airport workers to down tools over salary deal

He termed KAA’s failure to conclude and implement the CBA as in breach of mutual agreements.

In Summary

•Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) secretary-general Moss Ndiema told the employees to down their tools effective Tuesday.

Kenya Airports Authority headquarters at the JKIA in Nairobi.
Kenya Airports Authority headquarters at the JKIA in Nairobi.
Image: FILE

A workers' lobby has issued a strike notice in protest against Kenya Airport Authority's failure to conclude and implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) secretary-general Moss Ndiema told the employees to down their tools effective Tuesday.

Kawu and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) have had a long standing standoff regarding payment, resulting in multiple disruptions in aviation operations in major airlines including Kenya Airways.

Two weeks ago, a high court judge gave KAA 10 days to conclude negotiations on reduced pay increases with airport workers or the latter will proceed to strike.

Lady Justice Monica Mbaru, in her order said that should KAA refuse to comply with the new court directive then Kawu will be free to commence an industrial action that will exclude 55 union officials spread across KAA offices countrywide.

“That the claimant has the next 10 calendar days to conclude the CBA with the respondent and serve the minister and a copy to the court,”  Mbaru said.

“Where the claimant is unable, unwilling or refuses to comply or address, the respondent shall be at liberty to commence industrial action and only have the 55 union officials present.”

In a statement to its stakeholders on Tuesday, KAA said it had appealed the orders from the court, assuring travelers of normal operations.

However, an inquiry by the Star shows some airlines including Flight 540 had suspended flight bookings.

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