Tea growers association warns Atwoli over strike call

 

NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) has accused COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli of going against law in calling for tea workers strike after the election.

Atwoli in July said workers in the tea industry will proceed on strike after elections if their Collective Bergaining Agreement for 2014/15 is not implemented.

“It should be noted that there is a pending appeal CA 207 of 2017 Kenya Tea Growers Association vs Kenya Plantation Agricultural Workers Union in respect of the Judgment delivered on 20th June 2016 awarding inter alia  a 30 percent wage increase for the 2014/2015 CBA,” said Apollo Kiarii Chief Executive Officer Kenya Tea Growers Association

“In addition, the Court of Appeal on October 7 last year granted a stay of execution of the said Judgment,” he added.

Atwoli while speaking in Kisumu’s Tom Mboya Labour College said the strike will continue irrespective of court calendar.

Kiarii however reminded the COTU boss that continuing with the strike will be an outright breach of court order.

“Workers in KTGA member estates are urged to maintain industrial peace and not take part in any unprotected strike as parties await the resolution of the pending court matters.”