- The development is a shift from the hardliner position Kuppet adopted on Wednesday and brazenly defied a court order to call off their strike.
- Kuppet informed TSC that they are ready for the meeting on Thursday afternoon for purposes of addressing their demands in amicably and without prejudice.
Image: FILE
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers has softened its tough stance and written to the Teachers Service Commission expressing willingness to negotiate.
The development is a shift from the hardliner position Kuppet adopted on Wednesday and defied a court order to call off their strike and resume work.
Kuppet indicates in the letter dated August 29 that it is not willing to continue engaging the commission in a long-drawn face-off, particularly in light of the court’s pronouncement on the industrial action.
“In light of the fast-moving dynamic of the strike, particularly the proceedings instituted in court by the commission, we would wish to handle the matters with you to avoid any protracted battles,” the letter addressed to TSC CEO Nancy Macharia reads.
Kuppet informed TSC that they are ready for the meeting on Thursday afternoon for purposes of addressing their demands in amicably and without prejudice.
The union on Wednesday directed their teachers to carry on with their strike in total defiance of a court order issued on Tuesday that required them to report to work after the commission moved to court.
"Pending hearing and determination of the application inter parties, an order of temporary injunction is granted to the petitioner, restraining the respondent, its officials, members and employees from withdrawing labour or participating in industrial action," Justice James Rika said.
He set the mention date for the matter on September 5, 2024.
Kuppet secretary general Akello Misori on Wednesday acknowledged receipt of the court order saying they had retreated to seek an interpretation of the same with their lawyers.
“Pending that interpretation, our message to members is that the strike is on. We will address all issues concerning the strike only through a return-to-work formula,” Misori said.
Kuppet on Sunday differed with sister union Knut who called off their strike citing goodwill on the government's side to address their concerns.
Knut secretary general Collins Oyuu said the union was going to address their issues administratively.
Among the unions' demands are the full implementation of the second phase of their 2021-25 CBA, the promotion of 130,000 teachers, the absorption of 46,000 JSS teachers on permanent and pensionable terms and the remittance of loan and statutory deductions to relevant agencies.
Knut said TSC had shown goodwill by effecting promotions of 51,232 teachers thus far and agreeing to implement phase II of their CBA.
But Misori on Sunday directed Kuppet members to go ahead with their strike until their grievances are resolved.
All across the country, Kuppet members were Thursday still on job boycott with Garissa's executive secretary saying they were following suit.
“We are telling Akelo Misori as teachers of Garissa, that (court order) should not scare him,” he said.
Union leaders in other regions said they deliberately disobeyed the court order because they knew the TSC could implement their pay agreement under the 2021-25 CBA.
“This strike is protected so we are deliberately disobeying the court order,” one official said adding that Treasury should disburse monies to TSC for their enhanced salaries.
“We are not begging, it is our right,” he added.