KAWU WORKERS SET TO STRIKE FOUR DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS THREATENING DISRUPTION AT JKIA AND OTHER AIRPORTS.

December 19, 2024 4

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a strike notice, signaling a looming crisis in the country’s aviation industry. In a statement released on Wednesday, December 18, the union expressed concerns over claims of discrimination and unfair treatment, as well as dissatisfaction with their current wages.

According to KAWU, the management has been subjecting workers to low payments, leaving them with no option but to take industrial action. “The persistent issue of unfair compensation and the discriminatory practices we are facing have left us with no alternative but to proceed with a strike,” a union representative stated.

This move marks a fresh industrial dispute, just four months after KAWU had signed a return-to-work agreement following a previous protest and the resolution of key issues. The union’s decision to initiate another strike threatens to disrupt operations in Kenya’s aviation sector once again.

Kenya’s aviation industry is on the brink of another crisis as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) warns of an impending strike that could cripple services at the country’s airports. The union’s threat comes after previous agreements made in the wake of a strike earlier this year, which had severely disrupted operations.

In the aftermath of their last industrial action, which paralyzed the management systems at Kenya’s airports, KAWU had agreed to return to work following a deal between the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir. However, frustration has since mounted, with the union claiming the government has failed to address key issues.

KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema announced that the union would be holding a meeting with its members on December 21 to discuss the situation. He warned that, if no agreement is reached, they will announce the official start date for their strike. “On December 21, we will meet with our members, and if we do not reach an agreement, we will inform the public when the strike will begin. This will be the mother of all strikes,” Ndiema declared.

The union emphasized that their efforts to expedite the resolution of issues from the previous agreement had been met with a lack of cooperation from the government. KAWU also stated that their attempts to engage in meaningful dialogue had been unsuccessful, with no substantive progress made.

If the strike goes ahead, it could severely disrupt the aviation sector, particularly during the busy holiday period when the industry anticipates a surge in profits. The last strike left thousands of travelers stranded at major airports, including Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), after workers gave an ultimatum demanding transparency about a deal between the government and Adani Group Holdings to manage the international airport.

The aviation industry and the government are now bracing for potential widespread disruptions if the strike proceeds as planned.

By Magdaline Wangechi.