Kenyan Teachers’ Union Issues Fresh 7-Day Strike Notice to TSC .

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued a fresh seven-day strike notice to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) following the failure of conciliatory talks aimed at averting industrial action. This move threatens to disrupt the reopening of schools nationwide as teachers prepare to down their tools in protest.

KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu announced the strike notice on Friday16/august/2024, citing the union's grievances that have yet to be addressed by the teacher's employer and the Ministry of Labour ,despite communitating to them severaly. This announcement follows a directive from the KNUT National Executive Council (NEC), instructing all union branches to prepare for industrial action should the TSC fail to respond within the stipulated time frame. 

On August 7, both KNUT and  Kuppet outlined critical issues that they demanded be addressed by the TSC. These included the full implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the conversion of Junior Secondary School teachers, and the recruitment of 20,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. 

The unions' demands are anchored in the CBAs signed in June 2021 and later amended in August 2023. These agreements, registered at the Employment and Labour Relations Court, hold the full force of law, and the unions argue that the TSC is legally obligated to uphold them.

Earlier this week, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua met with KNUT's National Steering Council in a bid to resolve the dispute and prevent the strike. The talks also addressed additional concerns, such as the teachers' medical scheme, non-remittance of Sacco and loan deductions, and delays in retirement benefit payments. Mutua expressed his commitment to finding swift resolutions and pledged to collaborate with other government bodies to address the teachers' concerns.

As the clock ticks down to the strike deadline, the potential for widespread disruption in Kenya's education sector looms large. All eyes are now on the TSC and the Ministry of Labour to see if they will act in time to stop the looming crisis.