Shocker for Kuppet as TSC fails to deduct union dues

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers protest in Nyeri town on August 28, 2024. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

Lewis Nyaundi, Nairobi

Teachers on Thursday received the Sh13 billion salary increment with a major shocker for the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) that has been the face of the nationwide teachers strike.

Kuppet made last ditch efforts to seek audience with Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as details emerged that the employer failed to deduct dues from the union members.

Sources in the union told The Standard that this development shook Kuppet as it mirrored the script that brought down Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) leadership in 2019.

A letter by Kuppet secretary general, Akello Misori, to the employer requested for dialogue over the strike.

“In light of the fast moving dynamic of the strike, in particular the proceedings instituted in court by the commission, we would wish to handle the matters with you to avoid any protracted battles,” the letter reads.

TSC, however, declined the request insisting that the union calls off the strike as ordered by the courts.

"In compliance with the terms of the Court Order dated August 27, 2024, and duly served upon yourselves, it is the Commission's position that the union complies with the order of the court and withdraws the ongoing industrial action to enable parties continue with the bipartite negotiations on any unresolved grievance," the TSC said in the statement.

The commission told Kuppet that it had fully implemented the final phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and has paid all teachers salary arrears dating back to July 1, 2024. 

TSC also said that it had addressed all grievances raised by Kuppet in its letter dated August 19, 2024.

Teachers payslips seen by The Standard confirmed that the TSC adjusted teachers salaries as negotiated last year by Kuppet and Knut.

This means that the more than 365,000 teachers received a salary raise of between Sh1,000 and 4,000.

However, Kuppet members said union deductions were not effected.

This is the latest move by the teachers employer to push for an end to the teachers strike after Kuppet ignored a court order.

On Wednesday, TSC indicated that it would file a contempt of court proceedings against union officials who openly spoke against the order issued by the Labour court.

“Pending hearing and determination of the application inter partes, an order of temporary injunction is granted to the petitioner, restraining the respondent, its officials, members, employees, agents, or other person acting on its behalf, from withdrawing labour and or commencing, engaging in, participating or continuing to participate in the intended industrial action, set to commence or August 24 2024, or any other time thereafter,” Justice James Rika ruled.

Insiders told The Standard that Kuppet has not received union dues for next month as mention for the court case is scheduled for September 5.

And with the likely prolonged court battle, the union may not receive dues for months until the case is determined.

This signifies the start of a long drawn battle to weaken Kuppet that has since Monday championed the strike action that has paralysed teaching and learning in secondary schools across the country.

This strategy was employed previously against Knut leading to internal dispute and the removal of top officials.

Observers believe that by limiting the financial resources available to the union, TSC hopes to undermine their ability to sustain the strike and negotiate effectively.

[email protected]