Kenya’s aviation sector is staring at possible disruption after the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) announced plans for industrial action over what it termed as unresolved employment grievances.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 22, KAWU accused the government of failing to address long-standing concerns, including the confirmation of over 500 staff currently serving on fixed-term contracts.
“We have relentlessly engaged and pleaded with Management to confirm these employees to permanent and pensionable terms, but to no avail,” the union stated.
The union also raised concerns over the lack of substantive appointment letters for staff who have been promoted or transferred to new departments.
KAWU further protested unpaid overtime allowances for Wilson Airport staff, claiming employees had gone for more than six months without compensation.
“Our pleas to Management to pay them have fallen on deaf ears, and there has been no formal explanation from Management as to why they are denying the employees the fruits of their hard-earned sweat,” the union lamented.
In addition, KAWU opposed the planned transfer of Ground Flight Safety functions from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), warning that the move would threaten jobs and destabilize KAA’s revenue base.
The union said it will soon issue a formal strike notice and urged members to mobilize for what it described as a lawful industrial action to compel management and the board to act.
 announced plans for industrial action over what it termed as unresolved employment grievances.){kind=link}