KENYA AIRWAYS is seeking to have a top official of the pilots’ lobby jailed for mobilising a strike in breach of a court order.KQ says the Kenya Airlines Pilots Association (KALPA) Secretary General Ronald Karauri defied the order issued by Justice Hellen Wasilwa by calling for a strike through advertisements in two newspapers on July 3.
The national carrier and KALPA are currently negotiating to settle a dispute over the mode of hiring flight crews for KQ’s low cost carrier, Jambojet. The two are also engaged in a vicious court battle over the same dispute.
Justice Wasilwa has summoned Mr Karauri to explain why he should not be committed to civil jail for contempt of court following the lobby’s newspaper advert. KALPA is yet to respond to KQ’s application for contempt.
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“Mr Karauri is summoned to appear in court to show why he should not be committed to civil jail for three months for contempt of court. KALPA is hereby restrained from calling for industrial action or withdrawal of goodwill in whatsoever manner,” the judge ordered.
The order means KQ’s pilots will continue working during off-days and leave days in return for overtime pay. KQ went to court in March after its pilots — through the association – announced that they would only work as per the terms of their contracts.
Justice Wasilwa will hear the application for contempt concurrently with KQ’s suit against KALPA. The matter will be mentioned on July 21. The go-slow was sparked by KQ’s decision to hire crews for Jambojet’s coastal routes, which the pilots feared may be extended to other routes and render them jobless in the long run.
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