The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), an umbrella association for pilots in Kenya, has issued a strike action notice set to begin on November 1, 2022.
In a letter, dated October 19, 2022, and addressed to Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, the pilots’ union stated its intention to strike for 14 days due to “grave concerns that we have raised on multiple occasions on behalf of our members which remain unresolved”.
“We have been desirous to resolve these matters through various engagements and we have made a number of pleas to the KQ Leadership to address these matters to conclusion,” the KALPA letter continued.
“However, you [Allan Kilavuka] and the KQ management team remain unperturbed and unbothered to find solutions to these matters that have continued to impact the Pilot fraternity,” the letter read.
KALPA members listed four issues currently in dispute in the letter.
- Withdrawal of the Staff Provident Fund.
- Victimization and Harassment of Union Officials and KALPA members at large.
- Non-Adherence to regulations, the CBA and Signed Agreements (MOA’s).
- Leadership and Governance issues at Kenya Airways Plc.
Kenya Airways responds to KALPA members “surprising” strike notice
Kenya Airways responded to the action taken by the association, calling it “surprising”.
“The notice by the union is surprising and disappointing considering that the KQ management has always engaged the union officials in consultative meetings following the agreed upon engagement protocols,” Allan Kilavuka said in a statement , addressed to KALPA members dated October 19, 2022.
“During these official meetings, there has been no matter recorded as disagreed,” Kilavuka highlighted. “Furthermore, the union officials have neither used nor the dispute resolution mechanisms that are available to them as per labour laws. It is also unfortunate that KALPA has taken this action at a time when KQ is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and is beginning to record improvement in its operations. The airline is currently transporting over 250,000 passengers per month who contribute to the recovery of the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy,” the CEO added.
Kilavuka also stated that Kenya Airways is reviewing the notice and will “respond appropriately to the allegations contained in the notice through aid down procedures”.
