Keep off salary talks, Knut tells rival union

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Published on 10/01/2009

By Standard Team

The war of words between teachers’ trade unions over pay increment raged as members of the giant Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) insisted teachers will go on strike from January 19. Teachers in Western Province told the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) to keep off the matter.

Knut Western Provincial Council Secretary John Wesonga said Kuppet members should not impose themselves on the salary deal between the Government and Knut because they were not involved in the negotiations.

Wesonga said Kuppet was not represented at Teachers Service Remuneration Committee (TSRC), which negotiated the disputed salary deal with Knut.

Busia, Samia and Funyula Branch Executive Secretary Godfrey Odongo said Kuppet had no authority over teachers salary dispute.

He accused Kuppet officials of being used by the Government to weaken Knut.

Odongo said secondary school teachers are unhappy that Kuppet has decided to accept the Government pay offer.

Different tunes

Kuppet top brass has accepted the pay offer by Education Minister Sam Ongeri, saying it was not far from their salary harmonisation demands.

Teachers in Makueni and Machakos districts have also vowed to down their tools on January 19.

The primary schools teachers said they were ready for the strike if the Government fails to resolve the salary stalemate.

Makueni Knut branch Executive Secretary Francis Muia and his Machakos counterpart Albanus Mutisya said teachers will not be cowed.

"Our members are prepared to stay away from their schools on January 19 if their quest for better pay are not met," he said.

Mutisya said the teachers are demanding for their right and should be listened to.

Knut Secretary General Lawrence Majali issued the strike notice after talks between the union and the Government collapsed.

On Saturday, teachers in Nyanza urged President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene and break the stalmate.

Appeal to authorities

Provincial Knut council chairman Geoffrey Mogire said Ongeri had done his part and it was only Kibaki and Raila who could avert the impending strike.

He said the two leaders should use their positions urgently and end the impasse.

He said Nyanza teachers are ready for the industrial action.

—Stories by Mutinda Mwanzia, Beauttah Omanga,Joel Okwayo and Daniel Nzia.