By Vitalis Kimutai
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers ( Kuppet) has rejected a proposal to harmonise teachers’ salaries with those of civil servants in phases.
In a letter dated September 18, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni proposes that the first phase be implemented and backdated to July 1, 2012, the second phase be released on January 1, 2013 and the last payment on July 1, 2013.
“It has been resolved that TSC immediately constitutes a consultative committee in terms of section 13 (5) of the new Teachers Service Commission Act to deliberate with the union on all new demands on remuneration and benefits,” wrote Lengoiboni.
No deal
But Kuppet has rejected the proposal. “While we agree with harmonisation Kuppet disagrees with the phasing as they must be done in one phase and payable in the month of September and backdated to July 1, 2012,” they stated in their letter.
Lengoiboni said the proposal is made, subject to concurrence by the Treasury, of a phased out salary harmonisation package to be paid.
“The Government has so far engaged you in a series of consultative meetings that crystalised the issues. In this regard we both concur that demands relating to 100 per cent salary increment and allowances are new demands that ought to be subjected to a structured negotiated process contemplated under section 13 (5) of the new Teachers Service Commission Act,” said Lengoiboni.
“The allowances which we had put as key to our earlier demands must be factored in while other salary issues and benefits may be subjected to a negotiation process to take effect immediately,” Kuppet stated in the letter dispatched to TSC yesterday.
Civil servants were awarded a salary increment in July but teachers were left out leading to a protest from both Kuppet and the Kenya National Union of Teachers culminating into the on-going strike.
At the same time, Knut also rejected a salary harmonisation proposal by the Treasury.
