KNUT Members Want Officials to Reveal Contents of the Signed CBA
According to reports, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) grassroots officials, commonly known as BEC’s are not aware of the contents of the just signed Collective Bargaining Agreement talks between KNUT and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
This has led to widespread anger from union members as the signed CBA did capture monetary value for the salaries of teachers.
There have been growing concerns among member teachers over why the KNUT top brass has not released the signed 2021 – 2025 documents for teachers to read and understand what the officials agreed to sign.
The Teachers Service Commission struck a deal with the three main teachers’ unions.
“We are happy to announce that all parties have reached a deal. We have signed a new CBA 2021 – 2025 but there is room for strengthening in the future,” said the TSC Chief executive officer Dr. Nancy Macharia.
The Teachers Service Commission then released an official statement after the signing of the new 2021- 2025 CBA.
On June 29, 2021, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) met with officials of all the three recognized trade unions representing teachers in the public sector to kick-start negotiations for the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The Three unions are: The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET).
At the first meeting held here at the Safari Park Hotel, TSC tabled its offer on the CBA.
Although the unions’ proposals included financial components, the Commission beseeched the parties to factor in the advice of the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC) that directed a freeze in salary reviews in the public sector for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years.
The Commission also considered the current economic situation obtaining in the country and the persistent COVID-19 pandemic, which has immensely affected the world of work.
During the negotiations, our social partners did not agree with the fact that remunerative components would remain as currently contained in the teaching service.
Keen to ensure industrial harmony within the sector, the TSC invited the unios to a second meeting today to scale up the negotiations and agree on a new CBA that will succeed the 2017-2021 CBA which expired on June 30, 2021.
After frank sincere and open discussions today, we are happy to announce that both parties have reached a deal.
The Commission has, therefore, today 13th July, 2021, signed a new CBA with the three recognized teacher unions t cover the period 2021 to 2025.
The TSC wishes to thank officials of the trade unions for embracing dialogue and professionalism in the spirited fight for the rights of their members, who are indeed our employees.
We also appreciate both parties for taking into account the current economic situation in the country and the effects of the persistent COVID-19 pandemic.
The TSC wishes to thank all the three unions for hitting yet another milestone in the teaching service.
The unions have demonstrated restraint, commitment, and sacrifice during negotiations, especially in the middle of very harsh economic times in our country.
We salute all our teachers for being committed to serve, toil, and shine for the betterment of our children’s education.
We thank you and honor your daily sacrifices. As your employer, we want to assure you that we shall work round the clock to continuously improve your terms and conditions of service in the best way possible.
The TSC will continue to provide a conducive environment for all the 330,671 teachers to effectively discharge and excel in their duties.
As part of the Commission’s efforts to recognize exemplary teachers, we have this month rolled out an exercise to capture data of all those staffs who excel in various spheres of work with a view to rewarding them accordingly as would be decided from time to time.
These areas would include excellence in national examinations, sports theatre, institutional management, innovation, research, and advocacy, among others.
May God Bless the teachers of Kenya.
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