Teachers Unions Set Tough Conditions For CBA Talks With TSC
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) have established terms for salary review negotiations.
The unions are requesting a pay increase if the proposed Housing Levy is to be deducted from their salaries.
Teachers want the extant Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for 2021-2025 to be revised to account for the salary increase.
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Knut has proposed a 60% salary increase for teachers to be paid in July, while Kuppet desires a 42% salary increase.
Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu and Kuppet Deputy National Treasurer Ronald Tonui stated that there is a need to open the existing CBA to permit a pay increase to buffer the teachers in the event that the proposed 3% housing levy is approved.
“A teacher’s pay stub is already leaking and cannot support any additional deductions. With the new proposed housing levy on the horizon, we are demanding a pay review for teachers so that they can be protected from the plans,” said Oyuu.
Tonui stated that the rate of inflation had diminished the purchasing power of teachers and that the imposition of a new tax would only make life more difficult.
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He stated that Kuppet had presented a proposal and that there was no alternative to reopening the 2021-2025 CBA signed with TSC to pave the way for new negotiations.
Sunday’s Knut Bomet branch AGM was attended by Knut National Executive Council Members, led by Bomet Branch Executive Secretary Malel Lanagat, Eliud Ombori, Kasimba Ngui, Francis Bundotich, Lucy Machuki, Alex Dunga, Bonvas Tenai, and Alice Bor, who echoed the sentiments of the Secretary General.
Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, former Governor Isaac Ruto, Kuppet Bomet Branch Executive Secretary Paul Kimetto, and Bomet County Executive Committee member in charge of education Agnes Ruto were also present at the ceremony.
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Tonui stated that while they support the government initiative, they are concerned that it may have a negative impact on teachers’ livelihoods and subsequently on their academic performance. He criticized the government for rushing into the proposal and demanded new consultation and public participation to avoid a standstill.
“Discussions should be initiated to ensure a smooth implementation of the proposal,” said Tonui. “However, if the government moves without allowing discussions, I am afraid that it will cause friction with workers.”
He added, “As teachers, we recommend opening negotiations and negotiating an alternative to the proposed 3% levy.”
He stated that the tax favors those with high salaries and will have a negative impact on low-wage employees, adding that the workers will bear the burden at the expense of state officials.
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Tonui stated that the levy should be harmonised so that every worker contributes the same amount to the scheme and receives the same benefits.
Oyuu, the chief guest, stated that while they have no plans to confront the government, they have already drafted propositions to demand a pay increase in response to the new tax.
Oyuu stated, “it will not be business as usual” without the increase, and he urged the government, via the Teachers service commission, to implement plans to increase teacher salaries.
Oyuu added, “We may not be in a confrontation in our pursuit, but the government should be aware that we do not support the new tax, and they should open a hybrid avenue for negotiations.”
Senator Sigei requested that teachers’ union officials engage the Kenya Kwanza in discussions regarding the levy, stating that there was still time as a committee from parliament was touring the country to collect public feedback.
Senator Sigei stated, “The Kenya Kwanza government is receptive to dialogue, it is open to negotiations, and there is still room for dialogue in the ongoing negotiations over the proposals in the finance bill.”
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As they press for a salary increase, he advised teachers not to panic, but rather to incorporate their suggestions into the bill.
The teachers were the most recent workforce in the nation to express concern over the rising cost of living and the imposition of punitive taxes and levies.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union has spoken out against the new housing levy and has threatened to strike if it is approved by Parliament.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atella, who has been outspoken on the matter, has stated that the levy is intended to milk the medical workers dry, despite their pleas for higher pay landing on deaf ears.
Ruto stated that the level of destitution in the villages was alarming and urged the government to devise solutions.
He stated that Kenyans must learn to rely on their own production in order to reduce their excessive dependence on government aid.
Ruto stated that unemployment was a severe problem, stating that in order for the government to progress smoothly, it must devise means of generating jobs for the many youths who are languishing in the villages and waiting for the government to provide them with food.
Teachers Unions Set Tough Conditions For CBA Talks With TSC
