• The two documents were signed between KQ and KALPA in 1978 and 2017 respectively.
• Kilavuka termed the actions by the pilots as economic sabotage.
Image: COURTESY
The controversy pitting pilots and Kenya Airways has deepened after the company terminated the Recognition Agreement and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka said in a statement on Monday that the withdrawal of the two binding documents follows the move by the Kenya Airlines Pilots Association to bypass mediation and disobey court orders requiring them to call off pilots' strike.
"It is our respectful view that the law, process and court orders need to be respected by all and this goes against the letter and spirit of good labour relations anticipated by the said agreements and the provisions of Article 41 (1) of the Constitution," Kilavuka said.
The two documents were signed between KQ and KALPA in 1978 and 2017 respectively.
The pilots' strike has crippled travel for hundreds of passengers who remained stranded at JKIA and other connecting destinations since Sunday.
The strike has cost the company its reputation and billions of shillings due to the cancellation of flights.
The national carrier said it will lose approximately Sh300 million a day, translating to Sh2. 1 billion a week.
Kilavuka termed the actions by the pilots as economic sabotage.
"We shall be in touch in due course with the Board approved next steps on the alternative plans being put in place to safeguard the future of the airline and enable it to meet customer expectations," he said.
His statement came hot on the heels of one issued by KALPA calling for dialogue to resolve the stalemate.
"Despite all their non-committal actions to resolve the stalemate, we urge the KQ management to come to the table and negotiate with an open mind," general secretary and CEO Muriithi Nyagah said.
He said they are not calling for improved terms of service but rather that KQ management honours the agreement already in place.