Petroleum workers threaten strike over unresolved labour disputes at KPC

The Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union (KPOWU) has threatened industrial action from October 15 if management fails to resolve a raft of labour disputes, including delayed allowances, alleged discrimination in shift payments and the non-implementation of a Collective Bargaining Agreement, even as KPC says it is engaging the union in ongoing talks to resolve the dispute.

The union has accused KPC management of failing to address workers’ grievances despite repeated engagements, warning that the dispute could disrupt petroleum transportation, loading and distribution, with potential consequences for businesses and motorists.

The union’s National General Secretary, George Okoth, said management still had time to avert the strike by engaging workers in good faith and resolving the outstanding issues before the notice expires on October 14.

“There is time for them to resolve this. So far, what we have seen are just mere delay tactics from management. We are asking genuine questions, but they do not want us to address them,” he said.

The grievances include unpaid and delayed overtime, standby and meal allowances, alleged discriminatory administration of shift allowances, unpaid acting and duty allowances, unresolved commuter allowance claims and what the union describes as the casualisation of workers.

KPOWU has also accused the company of infringing workers’ right to representation, intimidating union officials and failing to implement the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The union singled out the commuter allowance dispute as one of the most pressing issues, saying employees who sustain the company’s operations deserve fair compensation, transparent employment policies and respect for their labour rights.

“They increased their commuter allowance from Sh12,000 to Sh200,000, yet they did not see the need for.

Mr Okoth said the remaining period before the strike deadline should be used to secure a negotiated settlement, warning that assurances without concrete action would not be sufficient to prevent industrial action.

Concrete action

“Preventing industrial action requires concrete action, not assurances,” the union said in its notice, urging KPC management to resolve the outstanding grievances before the deadline.

The planned strike comes amid concerns over the potential impact of industrial disputes at the state-owned pipeline operator, whose operations play a strategic role in transporting petroleum products across the country.

A disruption could affect the movement and distribution of fuel, with possible consequences for businesses and motorists, although the extent of any disruption would depend on which operations are affected.

The union said it regretted the inconvenience industrial action could cause the public but maintained that responsibility for any disruption would rest with management if it failed to resolve the dispute.

KPC plays a critical role in the country’s fuel supply chain, operating a pipeline network of about 1,342 kilometres that transports petroleum products from Mombasa to inland depots serving Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu, as well as regional markets.

KPC has however, said discussions with the union were ongoing, including engagements facilitated by the Federation of Kenya Employers, and expressed confidence that the outstanding issues could be resolved through established industrial relations mechanisms.

In a statement dated October 9, the company confirmed receiving the strike notice but said it did not believe public exchanges would help resolve the dispute, pledging instead to continue engaging the union through appropriate forums.

KPC said it was committed to implementing the collective bargaining agreement and complying with applicable labour laws, adding that it would continue prioritising employee welfare and the safe, reliable and uninterrupted transportation of petroleum products in Kenya and the region.

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