NYS officers during a passing out ceremony at the Gilgil training college. /FILE
The Central Organization of Trade Unions has opposed reported plans to deploy National Youth Service personnel to airports, saying the move would undermine permanent employment and threaten the jobs of aviation workers.
Cotu said it fully supports the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which has accused aviation agencies of seeking to replace permanent workers with insecure labour arrangements.
The federation's position comes as KAWU prepares for a nationwide strike over years of unresolved labour disputes involving the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and other aviation employers.
On Thursday, the union issued a seven-day strike notice, warning that unionisable employees will down their tools if their grievances are not addressed within the notice period.
KAWU secretary general Moss Ndiema urged travellers to prepare for possible disruptions if negotiations fail.
"If you don't hear KAWU calling off the strike, then make alternative plans for travel," Ndiema said.
The union says the dispute centres on the failure to implement collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), introduction of new workplace policies without consulting workers, keeping some employees on temporary contracts for years, alleged wrongful dismissals and reported plans to outsource airport security and fire department jobs to NYS graduates.
Ndiema said this poses a direct threat to KAWU members on airport operations.
"The intention to deploy 720 more NYS officers cutting across all airports, airstrips and any aerodrome facility is a misnomer because it directly threatens the jobs of our members," he said.
In a statement dated July 24, Cotu said it is deeply concerned by reports that KCAA intends to deploy NYS personnel to perform security and screening duties traditionally undertaken by permanent aviation workers.
According to the federation, such duties should remain the responsibility of employees hired on permanent and pensionable terms.
"Cotu expresses its full support and solidarity with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) in its opposition to the reported deployment of National Youth Service personnel to undertake duties traditionally performed by permanent aviation workers within the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and other aviation institutions," the statement said.
The federation clarified that it is not opposed to employing NYS graduates but insisted they should be recruited through established public service procedures into permanent positions where there is a genuine staffing need.
"We strongly support their integration into the labour market. However, where there is a genuine need for additional personnel, KCAA should recruit these NYS graduates into permanent and pensionable positions, subject to the applicable recruitment procedures and qualifications," Cotu said.
It argued that assigning NYS graduates to long-term roles under temporary or outsourced arrangements denies them employment security, fair pay and the full protection of Kenya's labour laws.
Cotu maintained that workers performing permanent and continuous functions should be employed on permanent terms and warned against replacing established jobs with low-cost labour arrangements.
"It is immoral and illegal for a government institution to outsource or substitute permanent employment with low-cost labour arrangements that weaken labour standards and threaten existing jobs," the federation said.
The labour umbrella also called on KCAA to immediately engage KAWU through meaningful social dialogue before implementing any staffing changes.
It further urged all public employers to refrain from replacing permanent workers with insecure forms of employment as a cost-cutting measure.
Cotu said the government should lead by example in upholding labour standards and protecting decent work rather than promoting what it termed as cheap labour at the expense of Kenyan workers.
