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Kenya: Press Releases: KQ Comments on Strike Threat |
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Friday, 14 August 2009 |
Nairobi, 13 August 2009 --- A meeting was held last night and this afternoon between the management of Kenya Airways and the Aviation & Allied Workers Union (AAWU) in a bid to quickly resolve the wage increment dispute. Management then made a further offer of 11-13% increase on basic salary and a further 12% on fixed allowances for the period under review this afternoon. The meeting managed to reduce the other clauses in contention substantially by nine to 22 from 31.
This proposition was however rejected by the union, who still demanded for an increase ranging from 80-245% on basic salary and allowances depending on the grade. The management therefore reached the view that the matter be left to the direction of the industrial court as per the court order issued on 10 August 2009 to be heard at 0900hrs on Monday, 17 August 2009.
Kenya Airways remains committed to settling this dispute as amicably and as speedily as possible, in accordance with the industrial laws of Kenya. However in lieu of the union’s decision to go ahead with the strike, we have put a contingency plan into place, and we expect to maintain the continuity of our operations without disruptions, through the period of the strike and beyond. However we will keep the situation under review depending on the circumstances and inform the public.
Kenya Airways management believes it has made a fair pay and allowances offer to its employees and as such we are disappointed with their decision to go ahead with the illegal strike. As a matter of practice, Kenya Airways benchmarks itself against competition and periodically reviews its salaries to ensure it remains competitive. Failure to do so will mean we lose our staff to competition.
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