Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) has successfully completed negotiations of four out of five Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), the most recent being with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) in Kenya.
The CBAs which are effective December 2023 and will run to 2025 have addressed staff welfare, fair compensation, affordability and sustainability and are geared towards providing a stable framework for both Kenya Airways and KAWU.
As a result of the agreement, KAWU members are set to enjoy a 22 per cent increment on their basic salary in addition to other allowances over the next two-year period.
Other unions that the National Carrier has engaged with throughout the year include the General Transport, Petroleum, and Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU) in Ghana, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) in Nigeria, and the Amalgamated and Transport General Workers’ Union (ATGWU) in Uganda.
Kenya Airways noted the achievement reflects its commitment to fostering a harmonious and collaborative work environment, with the inking of the deal signifying a shared vision of progress, mutual respect and commitment to the well-being of its employees.
“KAWU has been extremely patient and supportive of management’s effort to turn around the airline. They have worked with us to systematically address the welfare of our employees. We both agree that we have a convergence of mind to ensure that the airline is sound and sustainable and therefore guarantee the future of our people,” stated Kenya Airways Group Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka.
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Kenya Airways further commended KAWU and its leadership for their understanding of the economic realities and the importance of affordability and sustainability of these agreements as integral to ensuring the continued success and continuity of the airline.
“KAWU is pleased that, after 8 years since 2014, we have successfully negotiated the long-awaited CBA. We firmly believe that the offer presented by Kenya Airways management is the best achievable under the current economic conditions, serving as a testament to the positive industrial relations at Kenya Airways,” stated KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema.