Kenya Aviation Workers Announce Nationwide Strike, Warn of Flight Disruptions at JKIA from July 20
Kenyans planning to travel by air next week have been warned to prepare for possible flight disruptions after the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) issued a seven-day strike notice that could affect airports across the country.
The industrial action is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 20, with employees drawn from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and airlines expected to participate.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, July 17, KAWU said the decision follows what it described as persistent violations of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) by the affected institutions.
The union is demanding immediate intervention to resolve the labour dispute, warning that failure to address workers’ grievances could significantly disrupt operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports nationwide.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema urged travellers to brace for possible inconveniences if the standoff is not resolved before the strike begins.
“We want a successful, prosperous aviation sector, but that cannot be achieved at the detriment of workers’ rights. We will not allow that.”
He added:
“They will know that power resides in us more than in them. Seven days from Monday, you are likely to face inconveniences and challenges if you are to use any of our facilities in this country.”
If the strike proceeds as planned, airport operations are expected to be severely affected, with flight schedules, passenger handling, cargo services and other essential aviation operations likely to experience delays or cancellations. Both domestic and international travellers could face significant disruptions.
The planned industrial action marks the second major aviation workers’ strike this year.
In February, KAWU members paralysed operations at several of Kenya’s busiest airports after downing their tools over unresolved labour disputes.
At the time, the union demanded permanent and pensionable employment terms, improved salaries, better working conditions and the implementation of a long-delayed Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The strike was eventually suspended after the Ministry of Transport engaged KAWU leaders in negotiations, resulting in a return-to-work agreement aimed at resolving the workers’ concerns.
However, KAWU now says many of the commitments made during those negotiations have yet to be fully implemented, prompting the fresh strike notice.
Unless a last-minute agreement is reached between the union, government and aviation agencies, thousands of passengers travelling through JKIA and other airports next week could face significant delays, cancellations and service disruptions.
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