- KNUT and KUPPET insist that the teacher's employer, TSC, has tried to address only one issue out of the six demands before they can consider shelving their plans to down tools.
- The implementation of Phase Two of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is the only issue that appears to be resolved while five other issues are still pending.
Image: COURTESY
Learning in public schools could be paralyzed next week after talks between the government and teachers' unions ended in a stalemate.
KNUT and KUPPET insist that the teacher's employer, TSC, has tried to address only one issue out of the six demands before they can consider shelving their plans to down tools.
The implementation of Phase Two of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is the only issue that appears to be resolved while five other issues are still pending.
"After today’s discussions, the commission is pleased to announce that the government has provided funds for the implementation of the 2nd phase of the CBA with effect from 1st July 2024," TSC said in a statement after Wednesday’s talks.
The Nancy Macharia-led commission went on to say that:
"Other issues that the trade unions had but have been resolved include a review of the career progression, up-to-date remittance of third-party remittance, teachers access to medical schemes, retooling of teachers for CBC."
The commission also stated that it has promoted 51,232 teachers under competitive promotions and a further 20,2000 annually on the common cadre.
However, KNUT and KUPPET maintain that major issues have not been resolved.
They include the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable terms, the promotion of 130,000 teachers and the immediate recruitment of 20,000 new Junior Secondary School teachers.
The unions are also pushing for prompt remittance of all third-party deductions and commitment by TSC to commence discussions on the new round of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
"Regrettably, the Commission has once again failed to address our concerns. The Commissioners brought absolutely nothing tangible in five out of six irreducible demands we have made," the unions said in the statement signed by KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori and his KNUT counterpart Collins Oyuu.
"The unions demand immediate confirmation of all current intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms effective July 1, 2024, and the remittance of their full salaries for the month which are now in arrears," Oyuu stated.
The above efforts have failed to bear fruits despite President Wiliam Ruto’s directive to TSC and the National Treasury to resolve the looming strike.
"The engagement is going to happen, and I ask all the stakeholders to work together for the interest of our children respecting what is due to the teachers," Ruto said.
Teachers began their struggle for improved salaries in 1969 two years after the union was formed to push for improved salaries.
In 1963, first secretary general Joseph Kioni led teachers to strike.
This was before independence. The strike was to demand for more salaries.
Since then, KNUT has staged major strikes in 1966, 1969, 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2009.