Go on strike if pay raise not granted, KNUT tells teachers

NAIROBI: A giant teachers' union's top decision-making body met on Friday and resolved that all teachers should boycott duty if they are not paid the salary increment granted by the court.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) National Executive Council (NEC) adopted the resolution just hours after making its submissions at the Supreme Court.

"The NEC adopted that as we speak, there are no court orders barring Teachers Service Commission (TSC) from paying the 50-60 per cent salary increment and if the raise is not reflected on teachers' payroll by end of August, no member shall go to work," said Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion.

The Knut brief seen by The Standard says "in the face of the law, TSC is under duty to factor in the salary raise as ordered by the Employment and Labour Court and the Court of Appeal."

"Expectations of the union and its membership therefore is that the new salary must be reflected. Failure to which teachers will go on a nationwide strike by September 1," said Sossion.

Last week, Knut and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) argued at the Supreme Court that their pay dispute spans over 40 years.

"Teachers were given a small bowl of soup but the employer wants to take it away. Do not wipe the little smile put on teachers," the judges were told, in reference to the Employment and Labour Court decision.

The TSC, however, maintained that they do not generate funds.

"The money that is paid as salaries emanates from the Treasury and there is none of it now," argued TSC through lawyer Fred Ngatia.

The Supreme Court ruling is scheduled for August 24.

Making its submissions, TSC further argued that the Labour Court erred in law by setting the salaries.

Justice Nduma Nderi awarded teachers a salary increase of between 50 and 60 per cent with effect from July 1, 2013 to July 30, 2015.

The salary award translates to between 12.5 to 15 per cent annual salary raise for the four-year cycle.

The court also directed the increased house allowance proposed by the Government on January 1, 2015, be effected immediately.

Sunday, Knut and Kuppet maintained their members are running out of patience and blamed the Government for tossing their employees around.

"Teachers are disappointed that they have been subjected to many court battles and they want this matter settled once and for all," said Sossion.

Knut and Kuppet argued that the court battles have further delayed their right, which should have been awarded two years ago.