Aviation workers’ strike ends: Kenya Airways warns of delays as it clears flight backlog

Aviation workers in Kenya have ended their strike and resumed normal duties following a return-to-work agreement with their employers. The deal, reached between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), resolves a dispute that threatened to disrupt aviation operations. The agreement includes the immediate payment of agency fees held by the KAA and sets the stage for future negotiations between KAWU and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The Kenya Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) withdrew its previous guidance earlier this year, prompting KAWU to seek clarification during the upcoming CBA talks. While KAWU has some concerns about the new SRC parameters issued on September 1, 2026, the union is prepared to address those issues during the negotiations. The deal also addresses a longstanding recognition dispute between KAWU and Jambojet, which is currently under court review.

Both parties agreed to await the court's decision and comply with it. The agreement includes a non-victimisation clause to protect workers who participated in the strike from any retaliation. The focus now shifts to the CBA negotiations, which could determine the extent to which the union's demands are met, amid ongoing scrutiny of public-sector remuneration processes guided by SRC parameters.