Teachers’ strike: It’s do or die

By Samuel Otieno

It is D-Day for teachers as their giant union holds what it has called the "last talks" with the Government over a salary increase that could determine whether schools reopen next week.

Schools are set to reopen on January 5.

If the talks with Education Minister Sam Ongeri fail, all public and some private primary and secondary schools could be hard hit by the industrial action by close to 250,000 teachers.

The talks, Wesonga said, have taken far too long, adding that the Teachers Service Remuneration Committee (TSRC), the team that negotiates teachers’ salaries, has met more than 10 times since May 14 without a breakthrough.

The TSRC is an 11-member committee, comprising five members from Government and an equal number from Knut. The minister appoints the chairman.

Wesonga warned that teachers would not engage in further talks if negotiations flop on Monday.

"We will down tools if we fail to reach consensus. We are tired of endless negotiations," he said.

But Prof Ongeri described the threat as "premature". Said he: "Talks have been going on well and the negotiating team should report to me immediately before we chart the way forward."

Ongeri said the Government was ready for talks.

"We are open-minded and I am only awaiting communication from the negotiators," said the minister.

He told Knut not to cause panic among parents, saying it was wrong for the union to issue threats ahead of a crucial meeting.

"Knut should follow the law and avoid issuing threats in the media to guard against panic among parents," said Ongeri.

In the talks, Knut is represented by Wesonga, Secretary-General Lawrence Majali, National Treasurer Fred Ontere and Vice-Treasurer Benson Kithuka.

On the Government side are officials from Education and Finance ministries and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

The union and the Government are agreed on a pay raise for teachers. But they differ on the implementation date and method of payment.

The Government is said to have stood its ground and insisted the implementation date would be the next financial year beginning July 2009 and the raise be spread over five years.

Wesonga said the bone of contention lies in three major issues. The Government has agreed to increase the salaries of senior teachers and principals in job groups K to R by between 42 per cent and 177 per cent.

It has, however, declined to award a uniform increase for junior teachers in job groups F to J who are the majority in the teaching force. This category has 147, 751 teachers.

Instead, the Government has agreed to raise minimum salaries of those in job groups F to J by 35 per cent and maximum salaries by 18 per cent.

It has also agreed to increase the salaries of teachers in job groups F to J by between 35 and 38 per cent and the minimum salaries of non-graduate teachers by 35 per cent and the maximum by 18 per cent.

But Knut wants the minimum and maximum salary increases for non-graduate teachers to be uniform at 35 per cent.

Wesonga said negotiations had proved that no agreement could be reached. He said the talks had collapsed because the union rejected the implementation of the salary increase in five phases.

"We are comfortable even if the Government pays us new salaries next year, but they have to be backdated to July this year and not next as we were in the last TSRC meeting," said Wesonga.

Knut rival, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) — that represents secondary and college teachers — has also been fighting for better salaries, but their demands are different.

They want their members’ salaries harmonised with those of civil servants. But Knut has rejected the approach, saying it would be a disadvantage to its members.

Wesonga said if talks flop, the union will register the dispute in the Industrial Court as required by law and consequently issue a strike notice for the members.

But some unionists are opposed to the option to the Industrial Court option, saying it would only cause delay.

Mr Majali, the secretary-general, said they had given the Government up to Monday to resolve the issue.

"Our patience is running out and talks are not proceeding as expected. We have agreed to give them one more shot tomorrow (Monday)," said Majali.

He said parents; students and pupils should support the union in their quest for better salaries.

"We understand your plight and that is why we called off the strike during the examination period. But a hungry teacher needs your support," he said.

Mr Wilson Sossion, Knut second national vice-chairman, said: "Every teacher should prepare after December 30. We have advised the minister to ensure there is a deal or else the face of education may never be the same again."

Rachuonyo Knut Secretary Charles Owaka told parents to brace for a teachers’ strike from next week.

"The re-opening of schools remains uncertain. Parents should prepare to stay at home with their children for long periods," said Mr Owaka.

Meanwhile, Kasipul-Kabondo MP Oyugi Magwanga has urged the Government to resume talks with teachers over the salary dispute.

The MP said the Government should urgently intervene to avert the looming teachers’ strike.

"The Government must save parents the agony of staying at home with their children. It must initiate fresh dialogue with the teachers," said Mr Magwanga.

Additional reporting by Beauttah Omanga and John Oywa