Kenya Airways advertises pilots’ jobs as strike enters day 3

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 7 Nov, 2022 15:46 | 3 mins read
Kenya Airways advertises pilot jobs as strike enters day 3
Kenya Airways plane taking off. PHOTO/Courtesy.

Kenya Airways(KQ) is hiring new pilots.

This comes amid a continued strike which entered day three today leaving over 12,000 travellers stranded.

In a job alert on their LinkedIn account, KQ said it was looking for persons to "provide support to the PIC so as to ensure the aircraft is operated as per the conditions laid down in the operations manual and its volumes."

“Kenya Airways has invited applications for positions of Captains and First officers,” the advert reads. 

The company further adds that interested persons should send their detailed Curriculum Vitae on LinkedIn only.

The deadline has been set for Friday, November 18, 2022.

"If you fit the profile, then apply today. Please submit a copy of your detailed Curriculum Vitae here on LinkedIn only by Friday, 18th November 2022. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, only short-listed candidates will be contacted," part of the advert read.

Kenya Airways threatens ‘disciplinary action’

In an update, Kenya Airways (KQ) threatened that a ‘disciplinary action’ plan against striking pilots has begun.

KQ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka said on Sunday, November 6, that the talks between the management and the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA ) had reached a stalemate.

Kilavuka said the troubled national carrier is losing Ksh300 million per day and if the pilots don't return to work the airline might not be able to raise salaries for this month.

Kenya Airways (KQ) CEO Allan Kilavuka. 
PHOTO/Courtesy
Kenya Airways (KQ) CEO Allan Kilavuka.
PHOTO/Courtesy

"Pilots are KQ employees before they are KALPA members. I would like to urge them to come back to work. Going to strike does not help because we are losing Ksh300 million per day. If this continues this way it will be difficult for us to meet our salaries this month. It's in their interest," the KQ boss said adding that the management is ready to negotiate with the pilots.

"We have a stalemate and it leaves us no alternative but to continue with a disciplinary process. We are still open to meaningful talks but the most important thing is that these talks need to be held under the condition that they return to work," he added.

Kenya Airways refutes pilots claims

Contrary to statements from the pilots' association, Kilavuka indicated the airline has made efforts to end the strike but the workers have refused to return to work.

"The airline has furnished KALPA members with proposals on what it seeks to have the association amend in its list of irreducible minimums if a deal out of the stalemate is arrived at. KQ is now waiting for the pilots' feedback,” the airline’s boss said.

KQ pilots down their tools on Saturday morning leading to disruptions of flights from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

KALPA Secretary General Murithi Nyagah had in a strike notice dated October 19 accused KQ management led by CEO Allan Kilavuka of unilaterally withdrawing the Staff Provident Fund. The union also accused the national carrier of harassing its officials.

On his part, Roads, Transport and Public Works Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen last evening hinted that the government would dismiss the striking pilots in line with the labour laws.

Murkomen said although the government respected the workers’ rights and the role of KALPA as a representative of the pilots in agitating for better terms, “this must be done within the confines of the law and must take into consideration the prevailing economic circumstances both in the company and the country.”

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