Teachers to receive August salaries later than usual amid ongoing pay raise talks
Teachers are likely to experience a delay in receiving their August salaries. The reason for this is the ongoing negotiations between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), their employer, and the various teachers’ unions.
The outcome of these negotiations, which is expected to be determined today, will determine the timing of the salary disbursements for the month of August.
There are reports indicating that the TSC has refrained from issuing pay slips to teachers for the time being. This decision is contingent upon whether an agreement can be reached between the TSC and the teachers’ unions. These negotiations follow initial discussions that took place last week, but were unable to yield a conclusive deal.
Teachers who were interviewed yesterday by the Nation newspaper revealed that their usual access to pay slips via the TSC’s portal had not been realized, signifying a delay compared to the customary schedule.
In the event that the concerned parties successfully reach an agreement and subsequently sign it, teachers can expect an upgraded salary package that is retroactively applicable from the 1st of July, 2023. Conversely, if the unions opt not to endorse the agreement, teachers will continue to receive their previous salary rates.
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During the previous week, representatives from the teachers’ unions and the leadership of the TSC convened at the Kenya School of Government. Despite these discussions, 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) declined to ratify the TSC’s proposal.
The offered salary increase ranged from 2.4% to 9.5%, a proposal that was criticized for falling below the recommended rates by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The unions have accused the TSC of being deceptive, asserting that the proposed increase was markedly lower than the SRC’s endorsed salary hikes of 7% to 10% for not only teachers but also other civil servants and security personnel.
The Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers, Collins Oyuu, expressed their grievances. He shared that they had been promised a salary elevation of 7% to 10% by President William Ruto during discussions at State House.
These discussions were aimed at garnering support for the Finance Bill 2023, which was subsequently enacted into law. The unions assert that this commitment isn’t part of the wider review of the extended Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that they have been actively advocating for.
While the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) is pushing for a wage adjustment spanning 30% to 70%, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) is advocating for a flat 60% raise across all tiers.
Notably, a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was entered into by the unions and the TSC in 2021, with a term extending until 2025. However, due to the economic hardships attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic during that time, the agreement did not encompass monetary aspects.
Teachers to receive August salaries later than usual amid ongoing pay raise talks
