The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has confirmed that its members have commenced a strike following a go-slow that disrupted operations at airports across the country.
In a press briefing issued on Sunday, August 30, KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema said the industrial action took effect in the morning, with employees working under the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and other aviation stakeholders participating.
“We wish to inform the public and the users of our services rendered by our members that, effective this morning, our members went on strike, more specifically. This is Kenya's Civil Aviation Authority and Kenya Airports Authority,” Ndiema stated.
The union boss explained that the strike followed KAWU’s decision to lift the suspension of a strike notice initially issued on July 20.
Ndiema said the original notice covered four organisations, including the national carrier, after the union raised several concerns over employees’ welfare, working conditions and other employment-related matters.
According to Ndiema, KAWU subsequently entered into a framework agreement with the Ministry of Transport and the four aviation employers. Under the agreement, each employer was expected to engage directly with the union and address the outstanding grievances contained in the July strike notice.
The union had initially suspended the planned industrial action to allow the parties to pursue negotiations and find a solution to the dispute.
Ndiema, however, said negotiations did not progress uniformly, with only one airline continuing to engage meaningfully with the union while the other organisations failed to make sufficient progress in resolving the outstanding issues.
“We agreed on a framework agreement where each employer was going to sit down with the union and address the grievances, sadly with the exception of one airline,” Ndiema said.
He added: “We therefore, on Friday, on Thursday this week or last week, paved the way for the strike action that has commenced this morning.”
The industrial action has since disrupted airport operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at various airports as airlines grapple with delays and disruptions.
KAWU has maintained that normal operations will only resume after the outstanding grievances raised by its members are addressed.
Among the issues cited by the union are alleged breaches of collective bargaining agreements, salary-related concerns arising from recommendations by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), prolonged employment contracts, inadequate job security and stalled career progression for aviation workers.
The dispute comes as aviation authorities warn travellers to expect disruptions at airports across the country.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has separately advised passengers to contact their respective airlines and confirm the status of their flights before travelling to the airport.
Airlines operating in Kenya have also issued updates to customers regarding the developing situation. Most carriers have said they are closely monitoring the disruption and will continue communicating any changes or developments to affected passengers.
