Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has called off its strike against the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport –Adani takeover that began on Tuesday, September 10.
The workers led by their Secretary General Moss Ndiema said they reached a consensus agreement on a return-to-work formula.
“Industrial action called off. Return to work formular signed,” KAWU said in a statement.
However, he mentioned that they have not accepted the JKIA-Adani takeover deal.
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli on his part said the workers agreed to resume work following conditions agreed upon by all stakeholders.
Aviation Workers Outlines Conditions Met in Return-to-Work Formula
Atwoli stated that all stakeholders have received documents concerning the Adani deal after a request was tabled by the Union.
“We undertake to go through them within 10 working days and flag out areas of our concern, which shall immediately be pointed out with a view of jointly engaging in discussion with the government, Kenya Airways, and Kenya Airports Authority after we have flagged out our concerns,” Atwoli said.
Consequently, a meeting shall be immediately convened after the period of 10 working days, and the way forward shall be determined by the outcome of our engagement on the same
Furthermore, KAWU said they agreed that they shall be represented in all the negotiations by two people through.
It was also agreed that the parties, that is the government and Kenya Airports Authority, shall not enter into any final agreement or append their signatures without concurrence with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union.
Additionally, the Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Airways management were asked to expedite Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) particularly the pending CBAs negotiations, within two months.
The workers also called of the strike after they agreed with the government that there shall be no victimization of either party or parties, whether employers or workers, as a result of the strike. Earlier court case between Kenya Airports Authority and KAWU on the notice given on August 12 should be withdrawn.
“The government will use the court process to ensure that all relevant information is made available to the court and other stakeholders to facilitate clarity and understanding regarding the development of this major national infrastructure,”Atwoli said.
KAA acting managing director, Henry Ogoye was directed to commit to engaging in dialogue, communication, and collaboration with the registered and accredited trade union officials.
Chirchir on JKIA-Adani Deal
At the sometime Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir said that no formal agreement has been signed with the Indian multinational company Adani Group regarding the proposed Ksh 260 billion expansion of JKIA.
He acknowledged the government’s failure to fully disclose details of the deal but emphasized that no binding contract exists.
“Today and over the past few weeks we have attempted to communicate. There was a bit of lapse of communication in the way we have carried the privately initiated investment by Adani in this airport,” he said.
Passengers Stranded at JKIA & Other Airports
This comes after long queues were witnessed at the JKIA and other airports Mombasa, Eldoret, and Kisumu as demonstrations by the KAWU commenced.
In videos on social media, passengers were seen stranded at the airport on the night of Tuesday, September 10, with their luggage.
The Indian firm has made a proposal to the KAA earlier this year to run JKIA under a 30-year concession.
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