Trade unions in bitter war of words

Rival trade unions have escalated their war of words over ‘poaching’ of members and membership to workers pension fund.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) accused the Federation of Public Service Trade Unions (Pusetu) of 'dancing to the government tune' to weaken Cotu.

(READ: Unions gang up against Cotu)

During a press conference at Solidarity House in Nairobi on Thursday, Cotu representatives said:

“This bunch of disgruntled individuals purporting to represent workers interestingly is composed of frustrated losers both in the last General Election and in trade Union’s elections hanging on someone hungry for power,” said Cotu Assistant Secretary-General Benson Okwaro.

“As a responsible Labour movement, Cotu does not require any advice from any big-mouthed goons for hire speaking loudest to please their masters,” added Mr Okwaro.

Mr Okwaro, who is also the Secretary-General for the Kenya Communication Workers Union of Kenya, seemed to be directing its jibe at the Kenya National Union of Teachers, which Cotu accuses of masterminding a walk-out by other unions.

CORRUPT DEALS

The officials asserted their support for embattled Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.

“It is now evident that Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion and his ilk have their hidden masters who are busy lining up their pockets in exchange for some unimaginable protection from their corrupt and fraudulent dealings.”

Knut immediately issued a rejoinder accusing Cotu and its officials of getting stuck in the past.

“Atwoli is becoming irrelevant and he doesn’t have to punish the rest of us. We are elected representatives of our union and our unions are very strong. It is him who has been a gun for hire by the government,” Mr Sossion told the Nation on phone.

“If he is losing control, let him carry his own cross. He should not blame it on us. Knut is not answerable to Cotu.

“If there is any known government puppet, then it is Cotu and Francis Atwoli. If I had been eating with government, I wouldn’t be on the fore front of strikes. Strikes are not weddings.”

GAZETTE NOMINEE

The beef is on who should represent workers on the NSSF board. Pusetu whose main members include Knut, Kenya Union of Civil Servants and Dock Workers Union claim they have 750,000 members while saying Cotu has only 160,000 members.

Cotu on the other hand claims it has 1.5 million members and therefore should be the main representative to the board.

The trade union had last month obtained a court injunction to stop NSSF board meetings until their nominee Damaris Muhika is gazetted.

On Thursday, the organisation threatened to pull out of NSSF and form a rival pension scheme if Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi does not gazette the name.

Pusetu though has been pulling from the other side, daring Cotu to go ahead with the pull-out.

“Let them make real their threats. Let them get out and we will see how many unions will follow them. They have for long denied us access to proper representation.”

“Pusetu is all about sincere representation. And for some of the unions moving away from Cotu, their workers have been humiliated, working under very poor conditions. They have been casuals for many years yet there has been a centre that was supposed to organise it.”