Kenya Airways says pilots risk being dismissed for taking part in an ‘illegal’ strike if they do not resume work.
According to the airline’s Chief People Officer, Tom Shivo, all pilots on duty on Sunday, November 6, are expected to report to work without fail.
“Individuals who fail to comply will be liable to appropriate action in line with the disciplinary code and the company policies,” the memo reads in part.
“Pilots not reporting on duty will have defied court orders, meaning they will be guilty of contempt.
Secondly, they will have disobeyed lawful orders issued by management and calls for disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal.”
He added: “Individuals who fail to comply will be liable to appropriate action in line with the disciplinary code and the company policies. Further, participation in the strike will be in contempt of the court order.”
KQ pilots downed tools at 6 am on Saturday, affecting business and leisure travellers.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) said no Kenya Airways flight flown by its members had departed Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from 6:00 am (0300 GMT) onwards on Saturday.
KQ managing director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, said 23 flights had been cancelled as of 11:00 a.m. due to “the unlawful strike.”
“This strike has affected over 9,000 passengers across the network who cannot travel for business, medical or leisure. Equally, it has also inconvenienced our cargo customers. As you know, this could lead to huge losses to farmers whose perishables were due for export.”
Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said that the strike was unwarranted and “akin to economic sabotage”.
