ATWOLI TO LEAD STRIKE

Central Organisation of Trade Union boss Francis Atwoli says he will lead cut flower employees to a strike on May 17.

"The stewards and members are prepared for the strike ... it is on," he said at a Press conference called by the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union at the weekend.

Flanked by union officials, Atwoli accused the Agricultural Employers Association of disregarding workers’ welfare in the flower industry.

He insisted the planned strike would force the employers to cede ground and turn up at the negotiating table.

"The employers earned Sh36 billion, enough money to run several government ministries," he said.

The workers, Atwoli said, need decent allowances, protective clothing and other farm tools to ward off effects of industrial chemicals.

"We want to renegotiate the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the workers and employers, which expired but the latter insist the status quo remains," said Atwoli.

He added: "Four months after the expiry of the Collective Bargain Agreement, we wrote to them because we are keen on a new dispensation but they want it to remain the same".

"Renegotiating the expired agreement does not mean the end of any given (flower) firm. We want to take stock of how the farms have performed and share in that achievement," the Cotu boss added.

He said the cut flower employers have ignored efforts workers and the Government have made towards harmony. The strike, he said, was unlikely to be averted.

"The Labour minister appointed a mediator in the dispute but the employers insist that (mediation) has been overtaken by events," said Atwoli, adding the union officials won’t allow employers to arm-twist them.

"We are going ahead with the strike notice as a last resort. The ball is still in their court. They should respond appropriately," he added.