Why port employees are seeking 60pc salary increase

Dock Workers Union (DWU) General Secretary Simon Sang. [File, Standard] Dock Workers Union (DWU) has defended its demand for a 60 percent salary increase in next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). In a circular to the more than 4,000 members dated on October 12, this year, said the demand was justified because the employer, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), was making more money compared to Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) which was paying higher salaries. DWU general secretary Simon Sang said KPC's average profit was Sh8 billion per year while KPA makes an average of Sh14 billion per year. "The Kenya Pipeline got a salary which has put KPA in a good bargaining level based on wages guideline... which allows for comparison of parastatals with same economic levels," he stated. "Kenya Pipeline average profit/surplus is Sh8 billion per year while Kenya Ports Authority's average is Sh14 billion. Wages guideline no 8 provides for this consideration," he noted. But DWU national treasurer Ms Kibibi Omery and assistant general secretary Mr Sulman Owour opposed Mr Sang's push for demonstrations or strikes at the port of Mombasa saying they will disrupt smooth operations. Last week, Ms Omery claimed Mr sang had adopted a divide and rule leadership to control the union and funds and hence they would not support any industrial action at the port. "He approved several things without our knowledge as officials and members and therefore we are not going to support demonstrations or strikes at the port," she said. In his latest circular, Sang said another consideration was the collapsing of pay points and removal of discriminatory segments in grade HG3 at KPA which resulted in the pay point dispute will force a pay increase by a substantial amount by away of recovering a suppression which had lasted over 10 years. "This when aligned with wages no.1 will justify the 60 percent increase. On this, there is no other option for the authority or SRC (Salaries and Remuneration Commission). I explained this In our union letter to SRC and our several justifications which we submitted to the authority. 60 percent is inevitable," he stated. Sang said there was good progress in the reinstatement of the four lost pay points as SRC was set to present its position to KPA today. "We have finalised with the medical policy. It is only awaiting the board of directors' approval, then register as a CBA addendum into CBA 2020/2023," he said. On the controversial pay arrears, Sang noted it will be referred to the Public Service Commission for approval. "The Sh41 million arrears for operational employees working on extension from second shift to third shift will be determined after October 20, 2025. He explained that JIC will has agreed to have a gcrash programme to ensure that the CBA and pay point negotiations are finalised by November 28, this year. "This therefore means that CBA and pay point should be finalised by November 28, 2025. It is the intention of the union that employees of KPA should not struggle paying school fees in January 2026 when CBA budget for 2024 and 2025 was factored in and that budget for salary increase is available," Sang stated. He said this will pave the way for negotiating the 2024/2027 CBA and recovery of of the lost pay points. "The 2024/2027 CBA starts from 27th October 2025 so that by 27th November we shall have finalised CBA and reinstatement of the lost four pay points which is currently under conciliator as poay point dispute," explained. Sang noted that the process of appointing the chairman of the Joint Industrial Councl (JIC) to spearhead the CBA negotiation will be finalised on October 18 this year. He explained that the 60 percent proposal came out of the two considerations that were not not there in 2020/2023 salary negotiations.

Why port employees are seeking 60pc salary increase

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