TSC warns KNUT's Wilson Sossion on salary talks and calls for structured negotiation

Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association National Secretary David Mavuta (left), Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion (second left) and TSC boss Nancy Macharia (right). Below: Rural Electrification Authority Chairman Simon Gicharu (left) at the meeting. The teachers employer has warned top union chiefs against issuing threats on negotiations for pay rise for the tutors. (PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD)

The teachers employer has warned top union chiefs against issuing threats on negotiations for pay rise for the tutors.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) yesterday told the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion that negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) should be done in good faith.

The commission also cautioned Mr Sossion against issuing threats and making pre-emptive statements, given that the CBA negotiations are on going.

The commission instead, called on the union to present proposals at the negotiations table, like everybody else involved in the process.

“The spirit and purpose of a CBA is to ensure structured, open and honest engagement between the parties, not threats and arm-twisting,” said TSC Head of Communications Kihumba Kamotho in a statement.

CBA agreement

Sossion had warned that teachers will not agree to the CBA due for signing in October if TSC uses performance contracts as a tool to determine teachers promotion.

The Knut boss had also warned that he would walk away from the  negotiations if the commission imposes a bad deal on teachers.

Already, TSC has signed CBAs with the Knut and its rival union, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) covering the period between July 2013 and June 30, 2017.

Mr Kamotho said the CBA negotiation process is jointly owned by all the involved parties and that Knut should not demand an upper hand in the process.

“Mr Sossion should stop setting conditions, issuing threats and making pre-emptive statements. Let him present his proposals at the negotiations table, like everybody else involved in the process,” said Kamotho.

He said Knut or anybody else for that matter, should stop playing to the gallery by attempting to conduct the negotiations through the media.

He added: “TSC is as eager, if not more, to secure enhanced terms and conditions of service for all its employees. But it has to be done within a set framework and context.”

The commission moved to assure teachers, industry players and the public of its commitment to stability and industrial harmony in the teaching service, and wants Knut to demonstrate good faith and commitment to good labour relations.