The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has moved in to reassure passengers, airlines, and stakeholders at airports that air services across the country will proceed uninterrupted, even as a strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) began today.
KAA, in a statement issued on Monday, acknowledged receipt of the strike notice given by KAWU on September 23. The strike, effective today, affects some of the major airports like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport, and Moi International Airport.
Despite the strike, KAA said that it remains committed to safety, security, and quality service at all its facilities.
“The Authority wishes to assure all passengers, airlines, and stakeholders that business is as usual in our airports,” the statement added.
KAWU had also cited a host of issues that have provoked the strike, among them being the neglect to give contract employees permanent and pensionable employment.
The union indicated that more than 500 employees are still under fixed contracts despite efforts to get them employed on long-term terms.
The federation also decried the lack of issuance of official appointment letters to staff who have received promotions or transfers to new job grades, citing delays as contributory to demotivating staff appreciation and proper structuring in the organization.
Unpaid overtime at Wilson Airport is a thorny problem. KAWU claims that workers there have not been paid for overtime worked in the past six months.
Among the complaints is the transfer of the Ground Flight Safety (GFS) department to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) as proposed.
The union reasons that it will result in job losses and reduce KAA’s income, which can impact its financial well-being.
As the strike takes off today, all eyes are on how KAA will carry out its activities in the next few days. Although services are still in place for now, things continue to change.
