Aviation workers have called off their two-day strike that disrupted flights at Kenya’s main airports after unions and employers reached a return-to-work agreement following more than 10 hours of negotiations.
Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) secretary-general Moss Ndiema announced the end of the strike after the parties signed a Return to Work Formula, paving the way for flight operations to resume.
The agreement addresses several of the grievances that triggered the industrial action, including the stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between KAWU and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has withdrawn the CBA and will instead issue new parameters based on the agreements reached during the negotiations.
The deal also provides a path towards a recognition agreement between KAWU and Jambojet. The parties agreed to allow a court case concerning union recognition to proceed, with both sides undertaking to abide by the eventual ruling.
“The parties shall respect and abide by the court’s decision and take the necessary action in accordance with the court directives. Jambojet is committed to all applicable, legal and procedural requirements in relation to the trade union recognition with KAWU.”
Workers who took part in the strike have also been shielded from disciplinary action. The agreement provides that no employee shall be victimised, intimidated, discriminated against or subjected to disciplinary action because of participation in the industrial action.
The resolution comes after the strike caused significant disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with flight delays and cancellations leaving passengers stranded and uncertain about their travel plans.
The action began on Saturday night and intensified on Sunday, with workers linked to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and KCAA slowing key operations, including ground handling and air traffic services.
Several flights scheduled to depart from around 8am remained delayed well into the morning, while reports also indicated protests around terminal areas at JKIA and nearby Wilson Airport.
KAWU had said the strike followed the collapse of an earlier agreement intended to resolve the dispute.
“We did sign a back-to-work formula but, unfortunately, KAA and KCAA failed to meet our demands. They have never committed to the negotiations and have failed to cooperate and show effort in resolving our grievances,” Ndiema said.
The grievances included alleged breaches of collective bargaining agreements, salary concerns linked to SRC recommendations, prolonged contracts, job security and stalled career progression.
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