The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) suspended its strike hours after its workers downed their tools.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, November 6, 2022, KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema stated that the union called off its strike to allow the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) to settle their issues with the management at Kenya Airways (KQ).
"We will wait until the issue between KALPA and KQ is resolved so that we don't create confusion, that is why we suspended our action yesterday," Ndiema stated.
He additionally stated that the union decided to return to work to avoid further stalemate of airport services.
"We called off our action with immediate effect and it will allow all other flights to be facilitated. The only affected airline is KQ. If we had gone ahead and downed tools, this airport would have been closed because all departments would have been grounded," Ndiema added.
KAWU instruct members to strike
The union had earlier joined Kenya Airways pilots in downing their tools citing unmet Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) demands.
In a statement, the union through its Secretary-General asked its members not to report to work stating that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) was yet to honour their CBA 2016-2019 agreement.
"Pursuant to the said court order, this is to instruct and advise all unionisable employees of KAA to commence the strike at 2:00 pm today, November 5, 2022, in compliance with the court order, consequently, we advise those who are currently at work to walk out of their shifts peacefully,
"We advise you to stay away and not to report to work. Please do not assemble at your workstations or hold any gatherings or processions. We shall issue a further communication on a meeting in due course for further directions and guidance," the statement reads in parts.
In the agreement, KAA had vowed to increase the gross salaries of the union members' by 13 per cent and agreed to review their salaries upwards each year.
“KAWU members shall only return to work upon the union being fully satisfied with the terms of the new CBA,” Ndiema stated.
