The ongoing fight between aviation workers and national carrier Kenya Airways ahead of the inaugural direct flight to New York comes is worrying.
As Kenya Airways managing director Sebastian Mikosz says, staging a boycott at such a critical moment when the airline is about to launch a flight in such a key market does not augur well for the country’s image.
It smacks of insensitivity to the airline’s poor plight and weak financial position that the planned direct flight is expected to help cure.
Which is not to say that the workers have no grounds to demand proper and meaningful engagement with their employer. In fact, we dare say that all the demands made, including better allowances and working conditions are valid.
It is just the right time to tie long- term issues such as conclusion of the CBA with this flight. What is clear is that these are issues that can be negotiated and resolved outside the purview of the direct flight.
Besides, it is our understanding that it would be in no one’s interest – not the workers, their employer and even the country – to allow the squabbling to undermine the success of the long-awaited flight. Parties to this conflict must urgently opt for less antagonistic means of reaching a negotiated settlement – starting with a constructive confidence building session and candid discussion.
Given the very high stakes in this issue, it is almost in bad taste to allow a strike to happen at this time. Dialogue must certainly be allowed to prevail.
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