By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union has decided to terminate their strike, which had resulted in flight delays at key airports in Kenya, after engaging in discussions with the government via the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
The strike, which lasted for some hours, was triggered by the contentious proposal for the Indian Adani Group, to take over the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a move that faced strong opposition from Aviation workers.
The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Hon. Davis Chirchir made his way to the airport to have an engagement with the officials of KAWU led by their Secretary General Moss Ndiema.
In a crowd place where people shouted ‘Adani Must Go’ CS Chirchir promised to listen to the concerns raised by the workers but also requested his equal chance to talk to them.
“I will listen to you and you will listen to me,” CS Chirchir said.
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport said that a new airport was necessary and Kenya needs a new investment.
“We do all agree that we need a new airport, we need a new investment. When visitors arrive, during the El Nino you all appreciate how the whole place was leaking. We need the kind of airports we see in developed economies to be able to create the kind of opportunities by attracting more visitors to our country,” Hon. Chirchir said.
During the meeting an immediate return-to-work agreement was reached where it was agreed that workers would have powers over the Adani deal, hence no agreement would be signed by the government without their involvement.
While reading the resolutions of the meeting COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said that all pertinent documents have been provided for the workers to go through and raise any concerns.
“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 which shall immediately be pointed out with a view of jointly engaging in discussions with government, Kenya Airways, Kenya Airports Authority,” said the COTU boss.
KAWU Secretary General called off the strike after the meeting and said that the union must be given veto powers to ensure that their signature will be needed for any decision making.