Travellers across the country can now breathe easy after the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) reached an agreement to call off the planned strike.
The strike notice, which had raised concerns of possible flight disruptions, was lifted following collaborative talks involving KAA, KAWU, and relevant government ministries.
In a statement on October 1, KAA confirmed that the matter had been resolved amicably after constructive dialogue.
“The strike notice has been called off following positive and collaborative discussions involving KAA, KAWU, and relevant government ministries,” KAA said.
The discussions addressed the union’s concerns while safeguarding the smooth operation of airports and ensuring the interests of the travelling public were protected.
KAA Confirms Normal Operations Resumption
With the resolution in place, airport services and flight schedules will continue as normal, averting the anticipated disruptions that worried passengers and airlines.
“KAA is pleased to announce the successful resolution of the recent labour matter with KAWU,” the statement added.
The authority assured stakeholders of its commitment to ensuring strong industrial relations and maintaining seamless services across all airports in the country.
KAA confirmed receiving a strike notice from the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) on September 23.
Also Read: Flight Disruption Fears as KAA Addresses Workers Strike Threat
In a statement on September 29, Acting Managing Director and CEO Dr Mohamud Gedi said the authority was working to address the labour dispute while safeguarding the interests of passengers, airlines, and partners.
Strike Notice from KAWU
In a letter to its members, the union called for the resignation of the board.
It warned that industrial action could commence at any time after the seven-day notice period had expired.
Beyond the leasing deal, KAWU outlined other grievances, including non-payment of overtime at Wilson Airport for six months, dismantling of the Human Resources Department, three pending collective bargaining agreements, and the transfer of the Ground Flight Safety (GFS) unit from KAA to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Also Read: KAA Issues Travel Advisory for Passengers Using JKIA and Wilson Airport
The union stated that the transfer could strip the Kenya Airports Authority of vital revenue and threaten hundreds of jobs.
Aviation Union Demands
“For the last six months, unionisable employees working at Wilson Airport have not been paid their overtime for work lawfully done with management’s authorisation,” the union’s letter stated.
It also accused management of failing to confirm more than 500 workers to permanent and pensionable terms despite years of service.
Workers at JKIA staged a strike last year over the Adani plan, disrupting operations at one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs.
KAWU has now urged its members to mobilise “massively” to ensure the success of the planned action, warning that livelihoods and job security are on the line.
While KAA has promised business as usual, negotiations between the authority and the union remain critical in averting potential chaos at Kenya’s airports.
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