KENYA (Commonwealth Union) – The Airway sector in Kenya has not been doing all that well staff wise. There was an undercurrent of unhappiness for the staff of the airline and it seems to have now tipped the scales as the unions are getting involved.
Once a union is involved it only means one thing, and that is a strike. The problem here is that unlike when a bus driver goes on strike, there are a limited number of people who are qualified to drive a plane. So, when a flight crew and pilots all go on strike the airline is faces with a massive problem.
The airline has now in a heated fight with the striking pilots having gone to the length of filing charges of contempt and are hoping to withdraw the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement). This has been the latest tactic in hoping that this will end the strike.
The strike has been going on from the last weekend where flights have been grounded by the pilot union and passengers have been left destitute. The airline however has to bear the cost of these passengers.
In a desperate attempt the airline has started a recruitment drive to at least hire pilots that can get the fleet of the ground. However, as the pilots belong to the union or are a part of the union, no pilot is willing to join the air line.
The reason for the strike has been the fact that the pilots and first officers are not adequately paid. Since the strike has gone further than the airline thought it would and they have called for other pilots to take the jobs of the current ones the airline has closed all communications with the union.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Airline Mr. Allan Kilavuka has stated that it is impossible to make payments if the flights are grounded as then there is no money coming, only money going out as compensation for passengers who are inconvenienced.
