The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU) has called off its two-day strike after signing a return-to-work agreement with the government and aviation sector employers. KAWU directed affected workers to resume their duties immediately following the signing of the agreement with the Ministry of Transport, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and Jambojet. The strike, which began on Sunday, disrupted operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Moi International Airport, Eldoret International Airport and Kisumu International Airport, resulting in flight delays and cancellations and leaving passengers stranded.

With workers returning to duty, airlines and airport operators are expected to resume normal schedules, although passengers have been advised to confirm their flight status before travelling because of disruptions caused by the strike. Kenya Airways issued a similar advisory, asking travellers to check their flights before heading to the airport. The return-to-work agreement does not settle all the issues that led to the strike. Instead, several disputes will now proceed through negotiations or existing legal processes.

KAWU and KCAA will immediately resume negotiations on a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). KCAA has committed to honour and implement the outcome of those negotiations, while salary discussions will be guided by parameters issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The agreement also provides for the immediate remittance of agency fees owed to KAWU and currently held by KAA. Meanwhile, KAWU’s dispute with Jambojet over union recognition remains before the courts. The parties have agreed to abide by the eventual court decision.

Workers who participated in the industrial action are also protected under the agreement from victimisation, intimidation, discrimination or disciplinary action solely because of their participation in the strike.

The immediate focus is on normalising flight schedules while the parties implement the commitments contained in the return-to-work agreement. The CBA negotiations between KAWU and KCAA will determine the next stage of discussions on employment and salary issues, while the Jambojet recognition dispute will be determined through the court process. The agreement therefore ends the industrial action but leaves several of the underlying labour disputes to be resolved through negotiations and other established processes.