An attempt by the Kenya Airway (KQ) to hire pilots on a contract basis has hit a snag.
The pilots have now filed a dispute the Ministry of Labour.
The professionals want the Ministry to convene an urgent meeting with the national carrier to deliberate over the matter.
KQ had unveiled its plans to hire 20 pilots on a contract basis before they objected them move, terming it ill-intended and ill-timed. The pilots were to fly KQs Boeing 737 fleet on a two-year contract.
Through the Kenya Association of Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa), accused KQ of ignoring some of its most important demands.
The pilots have lamented that the airline has not honoured the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It further faulted KQ for sidelining local pilots to create opportunities for foreigners.
Kalpa Secretary-General Murithi Nyagah (pictured) said that the CBA is a legal binding documents, adding that it must be honoured.
“The CBA says you cannot bring in direct entry pilots at the expense of local personnel who are within the company and can be able to take up those positions,” said Nyagah, as quoted by Standard.
The airline has been facing a series of challenges in the recent past. The company recently suffered a loss of Sh.5 billion on an annual basis. The firm has now embarked on a mission to restore its lost glory.