KUPPET, TSC salary talks collapse
Education
By
Augustine Oduor
| Nov 01, 2019
The salary negotiations between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education teachers (Kuppet) have stalled.
After three day of offers and counter-offers, the two parties failed to come to an agreement with Kuppet standing its ground and insisting on a 70 per cent increase for its members.
But the teachers' employer said the union's demands were not attainable at a time when it is facing a financial crunch.
On Tuesday, union officials and TSC members had exuded confidence that they would reach an agreement during their meeting in Sawela Lodge in Naivasha.
According to a source, the State failed to offer a figure that the union found acceptable.
“The union had given a figure of 70 per cent for the lower cadre and a 30 per cent increase for head teachers, but the State had nothing on the table and called for more time,” said the source.
But addressing the press, both parties accused the media of 'misreporting', noting that the meeting was only meant to review the 2016-2021 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
In a joint communiqué read by TSC chief executive Nancy Macharia, she said the meeting to address the 2021-2025 CBA would be held today.
Ms Macharia said the Government had already implemented three of the four phases of the CBA using Sh54 billion allocated for the process.
“This has led to industrial stability in the teaching sector. We are all set for negotiations on the next CBA that runs from 2021,” she said.
She noted that the next negotiations would consider the current cost of living, teachers' performance and production, and government fiscal policies.
“We have agreed on the need for TSC to fast-track issuance of promotion letters to all promoted teachers and consider the career progression path of diploma teachers,” she said.
TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo denied that the meeting was meant to address the issue of salaries.
“The retreat with the union officials was meant to review the previous CBA and set grounds for the incoming one,” she said.
Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori said they were looking forward to fresh negotiations. “We had a fruitful discussion and some of the issues raised include progression of diploma teachers."