On Tuesday, Labour CS Alfred Mutua held discussions with officials from the National Steering Council of the Kenya National Union of Teachers to address concerns about a potential nationwide teachers’ strike due to the non-implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The union’s delegation was headed by Secretary General Collins Oyuu and national chairman Patrick Munuhe.
“The union raised several key issues, including the delay in implementing the second phase of the 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised a salary increment of seven per cent to nine per cent,” Mutua said.
Knut and its sister union, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), on August 7 issued a seven-day notice for the government to address several teachers’ concerns failure to which the unions would direct teachers to go on strike from August 26.
“Kuppet and Knut have today joined forces to demand the immediate resolution of six issues causing unrest among our members,” the unions said in a joint statement
The unions are demanding the full implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The CBAs between the unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) were originally signed in June 2021 and later amended by an addendum in August 2023.
Both Knut and Kuppet accused the TSC of violating the agreement by failing to implement the second phase of the addendum, which is set to take effect from July 1, 2024, affecting all teachers, including basic salaries and allowances.
Additionally, Kuppet and Knut are calling for the promotion of 130,000 teachers who have been stagnant in their positions and the recruitment of 20,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms to address the significant shortage in Junior Secondary Schools.
CS Mutua noted that the meeting also addressed concerns regarding the teachers’ medical scheme, the non-remittance of Sacco and loan deductions, and delays in retirement benefit payments.
“I assured the union leaders of my commitment to finding swift resolutions to these issues and pledged to collaborate with my Cabinet colleagues and other relevant government bodies to address their concerns,” Mutua stated.
He emphasized that the meeting reflects the government’s broader efforts to safeguard workers’ interests and maintain cordial industrial relations. Principal Secretary for Labour, Shadrack Mwadime, also attended the meeting.
Concerns have arisen regarding potential salary increments for teachers, as the government has reduced the TSC’s recurrent budget by Sh10.2 billion.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education, led by chairman Julius Melly, reported that this could lead to teachers resorting to strikes and disrupting teaching and learning in public schools, as well as potential legal actions.
“Industrial unrest is something which this government may not wish to deal with at this time given the current unease situation in the country hence the need to ensure that this allocation is provided,” the committee advised.
Mutua said he would convene a meeting in a week’s time with the Knut representatives to assess progress and continue dialogue for purposes of maintaining industrial peace.
