KNUT, KUPPET issue new Teachers Pay Demand; Want CBA Talks Resumption
The teachers’ unions have made a new demand for salary review, days after the government hinted at a salary increase for all public employees.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) argue that it is time to return to the negotiating table in order to provide teachers with the finest possible compensation package.
Both KNUT and KUPPET wish to initiate pay negotiations under the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in order to negotiate the best possible compensation package for teachers.
This new drive comes just days after President William Ruto announced a salary increase for all government employees.
Beginning July 1, the State approved a seven to ten percent salary increase for civil servants.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) also released its analysis of harmonised salaries in the public sector, with teachers benefiting the most.
Lyn Mengich, the chair of the SRC, stated that the teaching service would receive the lion’s share of the annual Sh9.1 billion budget.
In the broader proposal to align salaries with international norms, the increase for teachers is 40 percent of the total amount, according to the official.
However, the unions appear to be pressing for a structured method of determining the actual figures that would benefit their members in specific job categories.
Earlier, Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated that they would press for a higher salary demand, which would result in an increase from Sh27,195 to Sh43,513 for the lowest-paid teacher (job group B5).
If implemented, according to Oyuu, the salaries of the highest-paid instructors (occupational group D5) will increase from Sh157,656 to Sh254,249.
Oyuu stated that the Unions in the public sector signed a cashless CBA in July 2021 in response to SRC’s recommendation for non-monetary CBAs due to the effects of Covid-19 on the nation’s economy.
SRC directive
Misori believes that since the previous agreement was rejected due to the SRC directive, nothing stands in their way of receiving the raise.
Misori told the Standard, “‘‘Our proposal included a financial component but the Commission beseeched us to consider the advice given by the SRC to freeze on salary reviews of civil servants,’’ Misori said.
He stated that teachers have endured hardship for the past two years because the State has denied them benefits.
He says in the current CBA, the gains of teachers over the past six years have been ring-fenced, requiring an immediate review. Misori stated, “We must improve the agreement so that we break even on the demands we had raised.”
Peter Sitienei, chairman of the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), asked the government to pay special attention to teachers in special schools, stating that they go above and beyond to transform the lives of society. Sitienei stated, ‘‘We welcome the opportunity to explore several avenues that will be customised to our circumstances.”
Oyuu urged the TSC to make a counteroffer to meet teachers’ demands as the country transitions to a competency-based curriculum for junior secondary education (JSS).
We are happy with President William Ruto’s recent pronouncement which will open a window for fresh negotiations. I know we will strike a deal and strengthen the CBA 2021-2025 to be better,’’ Oyuu said.
KNUT, KUPPET issue new Teachers Pay Demand; Want CBA Talks Resumption