KNUT Calls Off Teachers’ Strike, KUPPET Insists It’s Still On.
KNUT Calls Off Teachers’ Strike, KUPPET Insists It’s Still On.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General, Collins Oyuu, announced on Sunday that the union had called off the teachers’ strike, which was scheduled to begin Monday.
In a press conference, the Secretary-General directed KNUT teachers to report to school for the third term following the withdrawal of the strike notice.
Oyuu stated in the press conference that the decision was made after extensive deliberation by the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).
However, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) NEC insisted that the strike continued.
“The NEC has, therefore, today August 25, 2024, agreed to withdraw the strike action notice which was elapsing at midnight August 25, 2024, since we have commenced addressing the remaining matters administratively,” Secretary-General Collins Oyuu announced.
“In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024,” he added.
KNUT justified calling off the planned strike by stating that, while the union had not deviated from its position that the government was addressing the grievances slowly, enough goodwill had been demonstrated to warrant the decision.
Among other pressing issues, the KNUT demanded the permanent employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers and the promotion of 130,000 teachers.
While announcing the strike, KNUT demanded that the government address several issues.
This includes the immediate implementation of the second phase of the 2021/2025 amended Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed by the Teachers’ Service Commission and the union.
KNUT also demanded the immediate remittance of third-party deductions owed to their organizations.
In the lead-up to the decision to call off the strike, TSC agreed to concede on some of KNUT’s demands, including the promotion of 51,232 teachers.
The process of implementing the amended CBA, however, is still in progress.
“We assure our members that the union is committed to resolving the matters herewith, failure to which we shall revert to the initial position since the strike notice has only been withdrawn,” KNUT stated.
Meanwhile, KUPPET’s NEC approved the strike as planned on Sunday after 68 members voted unanimously in favor of it, with only two dissenting.
On August 13, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua met with KNUT officials in an attempt to avert the strike, and he asked the teachers’ representatives to call off the strike.
KNUT Calls Off Teachers’ Strike, KUPPET Insists It’s Still On.
