The operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have continued to be disrupted as the strike by aviation workers enters its second day. The strike has threatened to compromise the safety of flights, making what was already a tense situation potentially risky.
According to the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), delays, cancellations, and diversions of flights have made the schedules of pilots unpredictable. This has compromised the rest periods that pilots need between flights. The association stated that the strike by pilots poses a real risk of a serious safety incident.
“These regulatory safeguards exist to reduce fatigue and ensure flights operate within internationally accepted safety standards. Under no circumstances should operational pressure push these limits,” the association said in its statement.
The strike was called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which cited the government’s failure to address long-standing issues of its members. These issues range from stagnant promotions to stagnant salary reviews.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and other airport management bodies were last week accused of unfair labor practices. According to the KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema, the strike was the last resort. He stated that the union would not beg on its knees to be heard.
The Environment and Labour Relations Court stayed the strike pending a hearing on February 26. Despite the stay of the strike, the strike has continued to affect the operations of the airport.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association has called on both sides to resolve the issues amicably. The association stated that the issues of the two parties can be resolved amicably. Labor issues can be resolved without any acrimony.
