Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has forwarded names of two top union officials to represent it in talks with the Government over a planned strike. Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion nominated Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno and Deputy National Treasurer James Muuo Ndiku for the talks. Also nominated was lawyer Hillary Sigei and Jacob Omollo, a human resource adviser.
Knut had threatened to call a strike over implementation of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The four will team up with Teachers Service Commission (TSC) staff to spearhead talks as was agreed last week during a meeting between the two parties. In a letter to TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, Knut wants the team to iron out contentious issues identified during the meeting. A retreat is scheduled for next week. “As per our agreement, they shall be expected to fully participate in your meetings and work with your team for the entire period of the life of the CBA to ensure the smooth implementation of the CBA for the remainder period,” said Mr Sossion.
He exuded confidence that Knut and TSC would secure lasting industrial peace in all matters relating to the teaching service and the CBA. “It remains a great desire for Knut to ensure that our members are motivated, happy and well supported to deliver quality teaching in all our classrooms all the time,” said Sossion. Knut and TSC agreed to form a team to discuss promotions and delocalisation of teachers, among other contentious issues.
