TSC Firm on Strike Stance: Insists Kuppet Must End Strike Before Talks.
The ongoing standoff between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) continues to escalate, with TSC making it clear that no discussions will occur until Kuppet ends its nationwide strike. The union had expressed a willingness to negotiate, but the Commission’s firm stance has introduced a significant hurdle in resolving the situation.
Kuppet’s attempt to engage with TSC to resolve the strike was met with a stern response. While TSC acknowledged its readiness to negotiate, it insisted that Kuppet must first comply with a recent Labour Court order. This order, issued on Tuesday, suspended the ongoing strike, and TSC emphasized that any dialogue would only proceed once the union calls off the boycott.
In a letter addressed to Kuppet’s Secretary-General Akello Misori, TSC’s Director of Legal Labour and Industrial Relations, Cavin Anyuor, stated that the Commission had already implemented the final phase of the 2021–2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Additionally, TSC had paid teachers their arrears, which were backdated to July 1, 2024. According to TSC, this resolves many of the grievances that initially led to the strike.
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Kuppet’s request for a Thursday meeting with TSC was met with this condition, leading to what appears to be a potential deadlock. TSC’s letter explicitly stated that compliance with the court order was non-negotiable for further talks. “The Commission has also resolved all grievances raised by the union. To this end, in compliance with the terms of the court order dated August 28, 2024, and duly served upon yourselves, it is the Commission’s position that the union complies with the court order and withdraws the ongoing industrial action to enable parties to continue with the bipartite negotiations on any unresolved grievances,” Anyuor’s letter read.
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Kuppet’s Secretary-General, Akello Misori, maintained that only the union’s national governing council can call off the strike. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as the union’s decision to comply with the court order is not straightforward.
The standoff has not only affected teachers and students across the country but has also drawn the attention of political figures. On Wednesday, Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli weighed in, criticizing TSC’s reliance on the court order as a form of “bullying.” Atwoli’s remarks highlighted the broader implications of the strike and the potential for increased tension between labor unions and government institutions.
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Despite the court’s involvement, Kuppet officials remain defiant. They met with the chair of the Education Committee of the National Assembly on Thursday to discuss the ongoing strike and explore potential solutions. However, with TSC standing firm on its requirement for the strike to end before talks can resume, it is unclear how the situation will evolve in the coming days.
The ongoing standoff between TSC and Kuppet shows no signs of resolution as both parties hold their ground. TSC’s insistence on Kuppet ending the strike before any negotiations can take place has created a significant impasse. The outcome remains uncertain, with the union’s governing council holding the power to call off the strike and political figures like Francis Atwoli entering the fray. As teachers, students, and the nation await a resolution, the tension surrounding this issue continues to build, with no clear end in sight.
TSC Firm on Strike Stance: Insists Kuppet Must End Strike Before Talks.
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