Kenya Airways pilots agree to defer strike

A Kenya Airways plane in full flight. Kenya Airways pilots and management agreed to defer a 48-hour strike notice offering reprieve to customers of the national carrier. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kenya Airways pilots and management agreed to defer a 48-hour strike notice offering reprieve to customers of the national carrier.
  • The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa) issued a joint statement with the Kenya Airways management announcing the deferral.
  • The deal was reached in discussions brokered by the Cabinet sub-committee on Kenya Airways that includes Attorney General Githu Muigai and Transport Secretary James Macharia.

Kenya Airways pilots and management agreed to defer a 48-hour strike notice offering reprieve to customers of the national carrier.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa) issued a joint statement with the Kenya Airways management announcing the deferral.

The deal was reached in discussions brokered by the Cabinet sub-committee on Kenya Airways that includes Attorney General Githu Muigai and Transport Secretary James Macharia.

“We would like to assure our customers and business partners that we are fully operational and as your national carrier are committed to serving you with pride,” said the joint statement.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Employment and Labour Relations Court had issued an order after Kenya Airways filed a suit claiming the planned strike was illegal.

The order remains in force until May 9 when Justice Nduma Nderi is expected to hear arguments of both parties.

EARLIER WARNINGS

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa), which draws its membership from close to 500 fliers, on Tuesday warned that no aircraft would take to the skies if Mr Ngunze remained in office by Thursday midday, a move that would have grounded the troubled Kenya Airways’ operations.

Kalpa said in its strike notice that Mr Ngunze is unable to lead KQ back to its profit-making days because he and his management are directly responsible for the national carrier’s current financial problems.

The airline made a record Sh29.7 billion pre-tax loss in the 2014-2015 financial year.

“An interim order is hereby granted restraining Kalpa, its members, agents or sympathisers from calling, participating or engaging in any form of industrial action including strikes, go-slow, or withdrawal of goodwill on account of an alleged mismanagement of Kenya Airways or otherwise or on account of the ongoing restructuring process pending the hearing,” Justice Nderi ordered.