Teachers' union accuses TSC of delaying pay talks
Knut National Chairman Mudzo Nzili and an Administration Police officer control a crowd of teachers entering Maua Stadium during the Nyambene branch elections on February 4, 2016. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Teachers want the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to fast-track the signing of a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta late last year.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) chairman Mudzo Nzili on Thursday accused the TSC of dilly-dallying in starting new discussion on the CBA.
Mr Nzili, who spoke after supervising the Nyambene branch Knut elections in Maua Town, accused the commission of sabotaging the process.
“Every state organ must respect the government of the day and TSC is no different. They should understand that the country belongs to teachers who are voters, human beings and workers just like other Kenyans and therefore their rights should not be violated," he said.
DOUBLE DEDUCTIONS
On the medical insurance fund, he said teachers were opposed to double deductions by medical insurers National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and AoN.
He said Kenyan teachers earned meagre salaries that could not sustain double deductions.
“The government should not encroach and snatch deductions in favour of the two medical bodies. As a matter of fact, teachers have never received quality medical services since NHIF deductions started and we would like them to leave us alone to decide where we should head to," he said.
He maintained Knut’s hard-line stance that they would not be intimidated and would continue to fight for the rights of teachers across the country.
