Why Knut called off teachers strike

By Sam Otieno and Beauttah Omanga

Teachers have called off the eleven-day strike and resume work this morning after Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta brokered a deal with their union.

The minister intervened and an agreement was reached with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) that the pay increase be paid in three phases — but spread out in two years — at a rate of 40-40-20 beginning July 1 and ending in July 1, 2011. But the Government committed itself to pay the last phase of 20 per cent with the second phase of 40 per cent next year if the economy improves.

It seems Knut did not extract much from Government because the terms they had rejected and led the union to call a strike largely remain the same.

The Government had insisted that it could only pay the salary increase in three phases between July 1 and July 2011. This has not changed.

This could have translated into an increase of 33 per cent a year and the only boost for Knut members is that the first two phases will be higher by seven per cent each.

Another bone of contention was the salary increase for P1, ATS IV and AT III. The union had demanded that they get a raise of 35 per cent. The Government was adamant at 26 per cent. This has not changed.

The new salary for the lowest paid teacher will rise from Sh10,185 in July to Sh13,750 in July 2011. That of the highest paid teacher will go up from Sh44,990 to Sh120,270 in the same period.

However, allowances for teachers will remain the same. Education Minister Sam Ongeri told a Press conference for Government and union officials: "Should the national economy improve substantially, the Government will pay the third phase of 20 per cent together with the second phase of 40 per cent."

Resume Work

Knut Secretary-General Lawrence Majali asked teachers to resume duty this morning. He said the union’s National Executive Council, which was summoned to Nairobi yesterday morning, had been briefed and accepted the three-phase pay deal.

"We have consulted our NEC members and resolved to accept the 40-40-20 deal. We ask our members to return to work forthwith," he declared.

Mr Majali said it was unfortunate that pupils had suffered as teachers pressed for their rights.

"We asked our teachers to go on strike because we had no choice. We were merely fighting for our rights which unfortunately saw learners affected," said Majali.

Uhuru, who described the strike period as "a nightmare for our children", was declared a hero by the teachers’ representatives at a joint Press conference by Knut and Government officials.

"We were mandated by His Excellency the President to see a speedy resolution to the crisis so that children can go back to school," said Uhuru.

In accepting the deal, Majali said, Knut had considered the Government’s explanation on the state of the economy. He, however, pointed out that the last two phases should be paid together if the economy improved. He said no teacher should be victimised for taking part in the eleven-day strike. The Knut chief demanded assurance that TSC’s intended disciplinary action be withdrawn.

"We want an undertaking that no teacher will be punished for the strike and all cases filed be withdrawn forthwith," said Majali.

He said all teachers must receive their salaries. Knut Chairman George Wesonga said the union had called off the strike in the interest of the children. "Besides being teachers, we are also parents. It is because of children’s interests that we have accepted to come together and work with the Government. We also want to see normalcy in our schools," he said.

Before the deal was sealed, there was suspicion between Government representatives and Knut officials who were with about 45 officials from the provinces.

After making what looked like an acceptance speech of the deal, Majali was reluctant to sign a memorandum he had read out to the Press. He asked for permission from union members present. He said he wanted an assurance that the Government side would also sign the document. After an assurance from Prof Ongeri, TSC Chairman Ibrahim Hussein, Mr Lengoiboni and Uhuru, Majali led his team in signing the deal.

Those who signed on behalf of Government were Education PS Karega Mutahi, Mr Hussein and Lengoiboni. On the Knut side, the signatures were by Majali, Wesonga and Treasurer Fred Ontere.

The salary increase will benefit all teachers from job groups H to R unlike the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (Kuppet) one which only benefited post-primary teachers.

Financial difficulties

Uhuru said the country had serious financial problems, adding that teachers were entitled to the new pay.

Teachers set to retire before the new salaries are fully implemented will benefit from the whole salary increase, said Ongeri. The new deal comes with the good news that teachers will be paid for the entire period they were on strike and none will be victimised for going on strike.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is in the process of auditing teachers who went on strike to line them up for disciplinary cases. Mr Gabriel Lengoiboni, the TSC Secretary, had earlier in the week said striking teachers would not receive their January pay, will be sacked and evicted from school houses.

The commission had also announced that willing retirees and unemployed teachers would be hired to replace striking staff.

"You must now facilitate normal learning and withdrawal of all court cases pending," said Ongeri.

TSC had taken Knut to court over the strike. However, Knut has defied court summons and orders.

Uhuru said the union had understood that there was no capacity to pay it at once. The deal signed by Knut yesterday throws a similar one signed by a rival union, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) into doubt.

"We have had a good deal here, don’t spoil it by bringing other things," said Ongeri when he was asked about the fate of the agreement with Kuppet. The union that represents teachers in post-primary institutions, had signed another deal in which members were to be paid in three phases of 33 per cent each.

Uhuru expressed optimism that the economy would improve and teachers would receive their new pay before the end of two years.

 

 

 

 

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