KUPPET Ends Teachers’ Strike Following Talks with TSC.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has called off the teachers’ strike.
KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori and TSC CEO Nancy Macharia announced the cancellation of the strike at a joint press conference due to pending issues that TSC would resolve.
Addressing the press, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori stated that the strike had been postponed following a tentative deal with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Misori informed reporters that TSC has paid for the collective bargaining agreement, restored medical coverage, and is currently seeking funding to promote as many teachers as possible, as well as discussing the confirmation of teachers in acting positions.
As a result, he directed unionized teachers to resume their responsibilities while they resolved the difficulties.
“In the ensuing arrangement and in compliance with the court order which is coming up on September 5, Thursday, from the union side, we suspend our strike and ask all our teachers to go back to class pending the speedy resolutions of these matters as already agreed upon between us and the commission,” he wrote.
He also stated that teachers who participated in the strike will not face disciplinary.
Macharia emphasized the TSC teachers’ hard work and stated that they had met with the unions because the students were the most important.
Lost Time
They are working together to make up for lost time, he said. He also said that, while there was a large policy paper to cover, they had progressed and would keep everyone informed of the latest developments.
The original purpose of the strike was to support the implementation of the 2021–2025 collective bargaining agreement.
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While the government has begun to execute the second part of the CBA, KUPPET claims that the compensation increase is insufficient to suit the teachers’ needs.
Despite the continued strike, the teachers recognize some progress, notably the government’s resolve to appoint junior secondary school (JSS) teachers and fairly compensate those serving in acting posts.
However, KUPPET demands additional action, notably in terms of teacher promotion.
KUPPET Ends Teachers’ Strike Following Talks with TSC.