KNUT Defends Choice to Withdraw from Teachers’ Strike Despite Critical Issues
Hesbon Agolla, Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), detailed the reasoning behind the union’s decision to call off the strike. Agolla addressed concerns about teacher employment delays and clarified the agreements reached during recent negotiations.
Agolla stated that the union anticipated permanent teacher employment by July. However, the employer failed to meet this timeline due to financial constraints. Despite this, KNUT decided to pause the strike to give the government time to address these issues.
Agolla emphasized that while KNUT does not speak on behalf of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) or the government, they chose to allow some leeway for implementation, acknowledging the broader economic context and the government’s commitment to these promises.
Financial Challenges and Budget Allocations
Agolla explained that the delay in employment was partly due to financial constraints, with an estimated 18.7 billion shillings required to address the issue. The budget originally included this amount, but a government transition later claimed it was unavailable.
The union’s call to action included ensuring that this funding be made accessible to honor the employment commitments.
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During the strike, KNUT had outlined five main issues, with the employment of the 46,000 teachers being the primary concern. Agolla pointed out that the recent budget should have included the funds, but delays in processing and payroll adjustments complicated the situation.
The TSC had assured the union that they would integrate the necessary funds into the payroll system by mid-month.
The progress in these negotiations informed KNUT’s decision to call off the strike. Agolla emphasized that the union stepped in to advocate for the intern teachers, many of whom are non-unionizable, to provide them with job security.
The challenges these young teachers faced, particularly their demand for permanent employment, motivated KNUT’s actions, he stated.
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The union brought this issue to the table alongside other significant demands, such as the implementation of the second phase of the salary increment outlined in the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Agolla affirmed that KNUT maintained vigilance, actively addressing the financial adjustments and employment commitments. Despite the pause in industrial action, KNUT continued to monitor the situation closely, working with the TSC to implement the agreed-upon changes.
KNUT Defends Choice to Withdraw from Teachers’ Strike Despite Critical Issues
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