OfKNUT Sec. General Oyuu Tells Teachers Sorry over Raw CBA
The Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Collins Oyuu, has expressed regret just a few days after endorsing the controversial Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Oyuu has voiced dissatisfaction with the recent payment arrangement, asserting that teachers have been unfairly treated in the revised CBA. His comments follow the signing of an agreement by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and teachers’ trade unions to modify the 2021-2025 CBA.
During an interview with Spice FM, Collins Oyu, the Secretary-General of KNUT, stated that the offer presented by TSC doesn’t align with the original agreement. However, he sees it as the starting point of a broader process. Oyu remarked, “Teachers last received a salary increase in 2017. While we appreciate the initial 10 per cent raise, we aim to initiate a sustained effort to secure the full 50 per cent increment.”
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He pointed out that the 2021-2025 agreement remains active, leaving room for further salary adjustments. In 2021, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and teacher trade unions in the public sector entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) spanning from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025.
This agreement temporarily suspended the monetary aspect of the CBA, to be reviewed once economic conditions improved.
The initial agreement had the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) pushing for a 30 to 70 per cent basic salary increase for its members. Meanwhile, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) demanded a 60 per cent raise for its members. However, TSC’s proposed increments are different.
According to the commission’s proposal, teachers in lower categories will receive a 9.5 per cent salary boost, while those in higher grades will see a 2.4 per cent raise. The new agreement stipulates a basic salary increase of up to 9.5 per cent, to be distributed over two financial years starting from July 1, 2023.
Moreover, teachers categorized under cluster four will receive their housing allowance over two financial years, beginning in July 2023. This adjustment partially harmonizes the housing allowance for clusters three and four, with full harmonization expected by July 2024.
As part of the amended CBA, approximately 14,738 teachers are set to be promoted in August 2023.
KNUT Sec. General Oyuu Tells Teachers Sorry over Raw CBA
