Kenya’s aviation strike is over, but the dispute is far from settled

Nairobi, Kenya – At Kenya’s airports, the return to normal operations came almost as quickly as the disruption had spread.After two days of delays, cancellations and stranded passengers, aviation workers were told to return to their stations on September 1 after government officials, union leaders and aviation executives reached a return-to-work agreement following negotiations that continued through the night. The talks concluded in the early hours of Tuesday.The deal ended the strike. It did not end the dispute.The grievances behind the walkout had accumulated over years, including disputes over collective bargaining agreements, salary negotiations, agency fees, union recognition and claims of victimisation.Several of the issues that triggered the strike are now back on the negotiating table.A dispute that refused to go awayThe latest strike followed a series of agreements that failed to resolve the underlying disputes.The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) had already reached a return-to-work agreement with the government and aviation agencies in February. By July, another agreement had been reached to suspend a planned strike and allow negotiations to continue.That arrangement...