A fresh row has emerged in Kenya's aviation sector after the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) opposed reported plans to deploy National Youth Service (NYS) personnel to airports, warning that the move could replace permanent jobs with insecure forms of employment and deepen an already tense labour dispute.
The labour federation has declared its full support for the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which has accused aviation agencies of pushing ahead with employment changes that threaten workers' rights and job security.
The dispute comes as KAWU prepares for a nationwide strike after issuing a seven-day notice on Thursday, saying its long-standing grievances remain unresolved.
The union warned that airport operations could be disrupted if no agreement is reached before the notice expires.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema urged travellers to make alternative travel arrangements if the strike proceeds.
"If you don't hear KAWU calling off the strike, then make alternative plans for travel," Ndiema said.
According to the union, the dispute stems from the failure to implement collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), the introduction of workplace policies without consulting employees, keeping some workers on temporary contracts for years, alleged unfair dismissals and reported plans to hand over airport security and fire department duties to NYS graduates.
Ndiema said the reported deployment would directly affect the livelihoods of aviation workers.
"The intention to deploy 720 more NYS officers cutting across all airports, airstrips and any aerodrome facility is a misnomer because it directly threatens the jobs of our members," he said.
In a statement dated July 24, Cotu said it was concerned by reports that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) plans to assign NYS personnel to security and screening duties that have traditionally been carried out by permanent aviation employees.
The federation maintained that such positions should continue to be held by workers employed on permanent and pensionable terms.
"Cotu expresses its full support and solidarity with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) in its opposition to the reported deployment of National Youth Service personnel to undertake duties traditionally performed by permanent aviation workers within the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and other aviation institutions," the statement said.
Cotu said it welcomes the entry of NYS graduates into the job market but insisted they should only be hired through established public service recruitment procedures where there is a genuine need for additional staff.
"We strongly support their integration into the labour market. However, where there is a genuine need for additional personnel, KCAA should recruit these NYS graduates into permanent and pensionable positions, subject to the applicable recruitment procedures and qualifications," Cotu said.
It said assigning NYS graduates to long-term duties through temporary or outsourced arrangements would deny them stable employment, fair wages and the protections guaranteed under Kenya's labour laws.
The federation further argued that workers carrying out permanent duties deserve permanent employment and cautioned against replacing established positions with lower-cost labour arrangements.
"It is immoral and illegal for a government institution to outsource or substitute permanent employment with low-cost labour arrangements that weaken labour standards and threaten existing jobs," the federation said.
Cotu urged KCAA to engage KAWU in meaningful discussions before implementing any staffing changes.
It also called on public institutions to stop replacing permanent employees with insecure labour arrangements as a cost-saving measure.
According to the federation, the government should protect decent work by creating secure employment and upholding labour standards instead of encouraging what it described as cheap labour at the expense of Kenyan workers.