Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Kuppet calls off strike to pave way for talks

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By JEREMIAH KIPLANG’AT jkiplangat@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, July 2   2013 at  20:58
The union of post-primary teachers Tuesday suspended its strike to give room for talks as the giant Knut said it would not call off the industrial action until all its demands are met.
Further, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers’ officials also asked members to report back to work today as they proceeded with planned negotiations with the government as ordered by the court.
Put offer on the table
Kuppet, however, warned they were ready to recall the strike if the negotiations broke down in the next two weeks.
The union’s move put to the test the solidarity between the teachers as far as fighting for higher allowances is concerned with Kenya National Union of Teachers’ chairman Wilson Sossion saying Knut would not call off the strike by primary school teachers until the government put an offer on the table.
Speaking on phone, Mr Sossion dismissed as inconsequential Kuppet’s move to call off the strike as he urged Knut members to remain steadfast and continue demonstrating until their demands are met.
But Kuppet secretary-general Akelo Misori said the union’s National Governing Council, after a meeting, agreed to suspend the strike to allow for negotiations called by the Industrial Court on Monday.
“Kuppet believes in the rule of law and shall obey the orders of the court issued on July 1. We cannot go against the court. We have always been willing to obey court orders,” Mr Misori said during a press conference at Railways Club in Nairobi Tuesday.
“Today’s meeting suspends the strike that started on June 19 and proceeds to the negotiating table presided by the Cabinet Secretary for Labour to see into the proposals by the government and TSC on commuter, leave and responsibility allowances,” he added.
Crippled learning
On Monday an Industrial Court judge ordered teachers to resume duty and asked Government to form a negotiating team to resolve the boycott that has crippled learning.
Last week, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said the government would withhold salaries if teachers ignored talks and continued with their strike. Union officials, however, asked the government to withdraw the threat and ensure all teachers got their June pay.
“We have boycotted class for two weeks now and it has been a difficult time for us and our students. But it was for a good cause. We are now asking them to report back to school tomorrow so that learning can continue,” said Kuppet chairman Omboko Milemba.

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