The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) have joined Kenya Airways pilots in downing their tools citing unmet Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) demands.
In a statement, the union through its Secretary-General Moss Ndiema 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.
The union now says the authority is yet to honour part of their agreement stating that the workers will only return to work after agreeing on the new CBA’s terms.
“KAWU members shall only return to work upon the union being fully satisfied with the terms of the new CBA,” Ndiema stated.
Ndiema also noted that the union would issue a statement regarding the duration of the strike.
The latest comes barely hours after 400 pilots from Kenya Airways downed their tools over unaddressed grievances.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) had in a statement said its members will begin their industrial strike on Saturday, October 5, after Kenya Airways management failed to address their grievances.
The union, which draws a majority of its membership from the troubled carrier, announced that the strike would take effect from 6:00 am, affecting both inbound and outbound flights.
“Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), the representative voice of all pilots in the country, Kenya Airways included, wishes to inform members of the public that beginning Saturday, 5th November 2022, from 6.00 am local time, there shall be no Kenya Airways aircraft departing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) flown by a KALPA member,” KALPA Secretary General Murithi Nyagah said.
