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Roundup: Kenya Airways pilots urged to withdraw strike notice

Xinhua, October 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Kenyan government on Thursday called on Kenya Airways pilots to swiftly withdraw their strike notice, terming the industrial action, which is expected to begin on Oct. 18, as economic and national sabotage.

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has also threatened legal action against those who will defy this directive.

"While a strike is a constitutional right, it must be exercised responsibly as a tool of last resort," Macharia said in a statement released in Nairobi.

Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), an association made up of about 450 pilots, has given a one-week ultimatum for an overhaul of the national carrier's top management led by CEO Mbuvi Ngunze and board chairman Dennis Awori, failing which its members will down tools from next Tuesday.

Kenya Airways had earlier rejected the association's demand to fire top managers, and warned that the strike could force it to stop selling tickets, making further losses.

"The threatened Industrial Action called for by KALPA is unjustified and uncalled for. It is also has no basis and is outside the scope of KALPA's collective bargaining agreement," the airline said in a statement earlier on Thursday.

Macharia, who insisted that KALPA did not follow due process in the strike notice, accused the association and its members of seeking personal and individual gains.

"Neither negotiation nor mediation options were sought by KALPA. Additionally, KALPA did not follow due process in this specific strike notice as it did not engage either Kenya Airways or the shareholders prior to the notice," Macharia said.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to the airline's turnaround strategy, dubbed "Operation Pride", saying that they are confident and supportive of the initiatives in this strategy.

"KALPA leadership and its membership should take note than taking part in any strike at Kenya Airways during this very delicate stage in its recovery. It is tantamount to economic and national sabotage and that the government will use all the levers available under law to take action against those that will defy this directive," he warned.

Macharia, who hinted at major changes in the airline's management and board positions, said the government was "systematically recruiting new talents for key management and board positions." Endit