Kenya Airways has returned to profit, making a profit of Sh513 million in the first six months of this year after several years of losses.
It is therefore peculiar that the Kenya Aviation Workers Union is threatening to go on strike, unless the Adani deal is called off and the KQ Head of Security resigns.
KAWU is complaining about the proposed takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by the Adani Group who will inject $2 billion for expansion in exchange for a 30-year management concession. The union is worried about potential job losses but the proposal is only under consideration at the moment so it seems premature to go on strike.
It is doubly premature because any strike that locks down JKIA will damage the bottom line of KQ, the national airline, as it will not be able to fly.
KAWU has postponed its strike action for two weeks to allow for mediation by the Labour CS Alfred Mutua.
But the union should withdraw its strike threat completely because it prejudices the fragile recovery of KQ which could result in far greater job losses than any deal with the Adani Group.
Quote of the day: "If you play a tune and a person don't tap their feet, don't play the tune."
Count Basie
The American pianist and bandleader was born on August 21, 1904
