Union Opposes KPLC Reforms

The Nation (Nairobi), 17 May 2001

Unionisable employees of Kenya Power and Lighting Company want the planned restructuring of the firm stopped.

They have gone to court seeking restraining orders and praying for a notice declaring the start of the process invalid.

The members of the Kenya Electrical Trade and Allied Worker's Union want to be represented in the restructuring process.

Union secretary-general Jack Omenda says KPLC breached the collective bargaining agreement by issuing an illegal notice and excluding them from the process.

But KPLC's assistant company secretary, Mr Laurencia Njagi, described the injunction sought by the union as misconceived and argues the company had no legal obligation to include the workers in the process.

Mr Njagi says no redundancy has been declared but only a notice was issued as per CBA charter.

Any redundancy, he says, will be declared at the expiry of the three months notice.

"The restructuring process involves more than he process of declaring employees redundant. It is an act of mischief for the plaintiff to seek to restrain the process on the untenable basis that (they) should be included".

He says the restructuring, which began last year includes a review of the organisational, management and financial structure.

He says consultants were appointed for the review and make recommendations to make KPLC efficient and reduce operational costs.

Yesterday lawyers, Fred Ngatia and Mr T. O'opere for KPLC and the Union respectively, consented that all the papers had been properly filed and served when they appeared before Mr Justice Alnasir Visram.