In a move to give dialogue a chance, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has postponed its planned strike for 14 days. This comes after the union issued a formal seven-day strike notice on August 12, citing concerns over the alleged sale of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Adani Airport Holdings Limited of India, as well as alleged acts of impropriety and gross misconduct regarding the provision of security services at the airport.
KAWU secretary general Moss Ndiema stated that the union has decided to postpone the strike to allow for discussions initiated by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir. The union, however, warned that if the discussions do not yield the desired outcome or if they sense a lack of goodwill from the Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Airways, or the government, the strike will be reinstated without further notice.
CS Mutua had invited the union for a fact-finding meeting at the ministry headquarters, where he assured that he would facilitate further discussions with the relevant line ministry to address their concerns. Subsequently, CS Chirchir has invited the union to a consultative meeting on August 20, 2024, to explore mutually acceptable solutions to the two disputes.
KAWU maintained that the alleged sale of JKIA and the related issues of job losses and degradation of employee terms and conditions are at the core of their members’ collective interests, which they must protect at all costs. The union expressed hope that the upcoming discussions will be carried out in an honest, transparent, and candid manner.
This development comes as a relief, as the planned strike could have had significant implications for the aviation industry and the broader economy. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the dialogue can lead to a resolution of the issues raised by the aviation workers.
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