KQ staff during a past presser. [Photo/Nation]
National carrier Kenya Airways was Tuesday stopped from replacing the more than 130 technical staff.
The staff had been fired for allegedly participating in an illegal strike until a case the workers have filed in court is heard and determined.
KQ had last Wednesday sent home 131 employees serving in its technical department, and invited fresh applications to fill the positions.
The sacked employees – who served as either engineers or technicians – performed an array of duties, including the servicing and maintenance of aircraft.
Employment and Labour Relations Court judge Hellen Wasilwa issued the orders in response to an urgent application the staff had filed through lawyer Dismas Wambola.
“An order is hereby issued restraining Kenya Airways from replacing the technical staff,” said the judge.
The workers argue that through a letter dated November 29, Kenya Airways purported to summarily dismiss those who were on duty on November 28 for their alleged participation in an unprotected strike on that day.
“Some of the workers were either on lawful leave or off duty on November 28, and have not been issued with dismissal letters, but they have similar grievances as those already dismissed, and are reasonably apprehensive that Kenya Airways will soon issue them with dismissal letters,” Mr Wambola said.