The Transport Workers Union (TAWU) Kenya has officially launched a massive recruitment and organizing drive within the aviation sector, dubbed SAFE AIRPORTS, SECURE SKIES Campaign. The campaign is aimed at harmonising terms and conditions of employment for aviation workers across the value chain, while pushing for the urgent establishment of an Aviation Sector Wages Council to protect and uplift standards of work in the industry.
This initiative comes at a time when the aviation sector in Kenya faces fragmentation in employment relations, with workers in similar roles often subjected to vastly different pay structures, benefits, and job security levels depending on the employer or contracting arrangement. This fragmentation undermines fair competition and creates vulnerabilities for workers, who often find themselves with limited bargaining power.
Backed by Global Solidarity
The recruitment and organizing drive is being carried out with the support of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), under its New Deal for Aviation strategy. The ITF’s global vision highlights the need to rebuild aviation on fair and sustainable foundations—ensuring that the workers who keep aviation moving are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
“The aviation value chain is highly fragmented, and this has weakened collective worker voice and bargaining. Our drive seeks to change this reality by building unity among workers, securing fair wages, and ensuring decent working conditions for all aviation employees in Kenya,” said the TAWU General Secretary, Nicholas Ogolla.
Why a Wages Council?
The call for the establishment of an Aviation Sector Wages Council is central to TAWU’s campaign. Such a council would provide a legal and institutional framework to regulate minimum pay, benefits, and conditions across the aviation industry—ensuring no worker is left behind, whether employed directly by airlines, ground handling companies, contractors, or subcontractors.
A Wages Council would also align Kenya with best global practices in protecting aviation workers while fostering industrial harmony in a sector that is vital to the economy and international connectivity.
Building Unity Across the Value Chain
Through this recruitment campaign, TAWU is reaching out to all categories of aviation workers—including ground staff, cabin crew, maintenance personnel, security, cargo handlers, and outsourced service staff. By joining together, workers will strengthen their voice to demand fair treatment and influence policies that affect their livelihoods.
TAWU invites all aviation workers to take part in this historic moment of solidarity, unity, and transformation. Together with the ITF and global partners, the union is committed to shaping an aviation sector where decent work, fair wages, and safe conditions are the norm—not the exception.
