JKIA workers end go-slow after KAA , KAWU agree on CBA talks

Kenya Airways plane at Jomo kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. [ Standard, File]

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways and Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) have agreed to resume work and expedite Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations following a meeting on Wednesday, September 11.

The move comes after workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) staged a go-slow in response to a proposed deal to lease the main airport to Adani Group, disrupting travellers departing from the country.

The meeting, chaired by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, included KAA Managing Director Alex Gitari, Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema and Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli.

The session aimed to address the ongoing disputes.

KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema said, "Now we have ended the strike. We have been here since the day before yesterday and even I haven't bathed. If this airport were better, we would have warm water to bathe and hotels where you could be taken to eat, but it's okay. We will manage as the less fortunate. Nobody should harass you."

"We have received the most pertinent documents as requested by the Union. We undertake to go through them within 10 working days and flag out areas of our concern," said a statement signed by the parties.

"The meeting shall be immediately convened after the said period of 10 working days."

The agreement specifies that no final decisions or signatures will be made without KAWU's concurrence.

Both KAA and Kenya Airways are tasked with expediting CBA negotiations within two months.

The parties also agreed there would be no victimisation of workers or employers as a result of the strike.

The parties will reconvene after the 10-day review period to discuss further steps.