Kenya Airways Pilots Return to Work

Kenya Airways pilots downed their tools on November 5, accusing the airline’s executive of mismanaging the company. Workers have accused KQ of victimization, saying its officials and members were harassed by the national carrier through sacking and intimidations. KQ management and its pilots have been unable to agree on concessions to end the strike.

Meanwhile, pilots are facing disciplinary actions and court summons over a strike suspended by a labour court. KQ won a court injunction stopping the strike on October 31 but the pilots’ union voted to press on.

The national carrier has now announced that it is recruiting new pilots, and started disciplinary action against its striking pilots. The airline warned that they could be dismissed if they do not return to work immediately. 56 flights have been affected, impacting 12,000 travelers, and 500 passengers are beingaccommodated in hotels until other flights are arranged.

The Employment and labour relation court has ordered Kenya Airways pilots to resume duty on November 9 and await further directions from the court. The case will be mentioned on November 21 and the parties have been ordered to refrain from prosecuting the matter via the media.