Teachers call strike in fresh pay dispute

Teachers will go on a nationwide strike next term after the Teachers Service Commission appealed against a salary increase upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Kenya National Union Teachers Secretary-General Wilson Sossion Sunday said the decision by TSC to go to the Supreme Court was a “punitive way to deny the teachers their pay”.

He said the commission should have written to the National Treasury to release the money awarded to the teachers instead of taking them back to court.

“The war has just began because this is a clear indication of the general hatred by the government and the commission.

"Teachers are running out of patience,” Mr Sossion said.

He went on: “Let all teachers buy rubber shoes, save their August salaries and prepare for a major strike in September.

Let the parents know that we will not be back to class unless the pay rise is awarded. We will not allow the government to abuse its teachers anymore.”

Mr Sossion was speaking at the Knut offices in Nairobi.

The Court of Appeal ordered the TSC to pay teachers the salary increase of 50 to 60 per cent awarded to them last month by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

However, TSC said it would appeal the court ruling because it has no funds to pay the increased salaries.

At the same time, the fate of the AON Minet medical scheme for teachers is on the verge of collapse after Mr Sossion said they would pull out.

The medical scheme was one of the key requirements in the union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This comes barely a week after Mr Sossion said they were not satisfied with the efficiency of the medical plan.

“Indeed, there are teachers in India and 200 teachers treated and discharged through the AON Minet cover.

"However, it was expected that all employees would enjoy equal services but it has been very selective, thus a breach of the agreement, and as Knut, we are out,” he said.

He continued: “Let them refund the teachers their medical allowance then they can find alternative schemes, we cannot be party to such selective engagement.”

This cover was meant for over 288,000 teachers, who would share a comprehensive Sh5.6 billion annual medical cover.

Under the arrangement, teachers’ monthly allowances would be pooled into an account by the TSC.

The lowest paid teacher is currently deducted Sh950 monthly for medical allowance and the highest paid part with Sh4,000.

AON Minet was contracted by TSC to manage the medical scheme.

Mr Sossion said he had already written to the TSC on their plan to withdraw and reasons for pulling out.

He, however, clarified that the problem was not with the service providers.

He said the teachers who were currently receiving treatment through the scheme “will continue to do so as per the initial contract”.