Workers drawn from the Kenya Aviation Workers Union have issued a strike notice against the impending takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Kenya Airways.
Kawu says its members will down their tools in the next one week, asserting that the takeover will render them jobless.
The lobby group has cited that the takeover will lead to job cuts, something they are not willing to be part of.
If executed, the looming industrial action will paralyse operations at the country’s main airport.
Kawu has accused the Kenya Airport Authority’s managing director Johnny Andersen of auctioning the authority in the acquisition deal and demanded his immediate resignation.
“We are issuing a seven-day strike notice to all stakeholders from date herein and we are saying that if (MD Jonny) Andersen will not be out of KAA in the next seven days, we will ground operations at JKIA,” Kawu secretary-general Moses Ndiema said in a letter dated Jan 29.
The looming industrial action comes at a time KQ moves to put final touches on a proposal that will see it operate, maintain and develop JKIA.
On October 3 last year, KQ submitted a Privately Initiated Investment Proposal (PIIP) to KAA requesting for a concession to “operate, maintain and develop” JKIA. The request involved establishment of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will operate, manage and develop JKIA for 30 years.
But Kawu has opposed the move claiming that more than 20, 000 workers including KAA staff will be affected.