Kenya Airways pilot down their tools as aviation sector grind to a halt

NAIROBI, Kenya - The National Carrier, Kenya Airways pilots have down their tools as aviation services grind to a halt.

The umbrella body of Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) directed their members comprises of airlines’ crew and ground staff embarked on a strike, joining pilots who are pressing for better pay and working conditions earlier Saturday.

According to KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema“In pursuant to the court order, this is to instruct and advise all unionized employees of KAA to commence the strike today November 5 in compliance with the court order.”

He further revealed that the strike will only be called off once KAA satisfies all terms specified in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Both KAWU and Kenya Airports Authority have had a long-standing pay-related disagreement resulting in multiple disruptions in aviation operations in major airlines including Kenya Airways.

This strike comes at a time when talks between pilots’ unions and the government broke down after failing to reach an agreement.
According to reliable sources, more than 10,000 passengers were stranded as Kenya Airways pilots went on strike to demand better pay and working conditions.

The strike called by the Kenya Airlines Pilots Association (KALPA) started on Saturday, grounding more than 15 flights.

Kipchumba Murkomen -Transport Cabinet Secretary has termed the strike as “This is an illegal” act of “economic sabotage.”I visited the JKIA and was saddened to learn that so far, over 15 flights have been canceled and 10,000 passengers stranded.”

The CS further said that the KQ management is working with other airlines to reroute some of the connecting passengers even as we seek a lasting solution to the challenge at hand.

The airline, partly owned by the government and Air France-KLM, is one of the biggest in Africa, connecting multiple countries to Europe and Asia, but it is facing turbulent times, including years of losses.

The Kenya Airlines Pilots Association (KALPA) said that no Kenya Airways flight flown by its members had departed Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport starting Saturday morning.

Murithi Nyagah -Secretary General, KALPA, earlier on Saturday said that the strike is fully in force and it will only end when their demands are met.

GAROWE ONLINE