TSC statement after consultative meeting with KUPPET

PRESS STATEMENT

CONSULTATIVE MEETING BETWEEN THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION AND KUPPET ON THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY MEMBERS  OF KUPPET

1. On August 21, 2024, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) held  joint talks  with  the  key  trade unions (KNUT, KUPPET and  KUSNET) with a view to averting the planned industrial action called by their union officials. During the talks, the TSC announced that the Government had released funds for the implementation of the 2nd phase  of the CBA with  effect from 1st July 2024

2. Nonetheless, members of KUPPET went on strike  starting on June 26, 2024. Following the  industrial action, the  TSC has today held bi-partite negotiations with  the union with a view to ending the work boycott through Alternative Dispute Resolution as provided for in the Recognition Agreement between the parties.

3. To this end, and after a day-long meeting, we are happy to report to the nation that we have   reached an amicable settlement, which will enable our teachers resume duty immediately.

4.  As promised on August 21, 2021, the Commission is today pleased to confirm that the Government provided funds for the implementation of the  2nd  phase  of the  CBA with  effect from 1st July 2024.

5. Therefore, the Government has  successfully implemented all the provisions of the 2021-2025  CBA with  the teacher unions. Specifically, the 2nd phase of the CBA, which was due on 1st July 2024 was duly  paid  in August 2024 together with arrears. To this end, the Commission issued the implementation circular   (copy  attached) to all teacher unions including KUPPET as envisaged in the CBA 2021-2025.

6. Further to the full CBA 2021-2025 implementation, the Commission has addressed other issues  that  were raised  by KUPPET as follows:

SN	ISSUE	REMARKS
1.	Review  of the CPG	Has began  in earnest
2.	Remittance of third-party deductions	Resolved
3.	Medical Scheme	Funding has been restored and teachers can now access both public  and  private hospitals under the Scheme
4.	Transition to CBC	The Government has provided resources for retooling of JSS teachers
5.	Promotion of Teachers	The TSC has already promoted 51,232 teachers under competitive promotions. The Commission shall continue promoting teachers as and when budgetary allocations are availed  by parliament.
6.	Commencement of the new round of CBA	To commence once KUPPET submits their memorandum of Demands

7.  Parties  have  agreed that  any  other pending issue(s) will be resolved through bi-partite negotiations as is the practice.

8. We, therefore, wish to thank KUPPET for exploring an Alternative Dispute  Resolution mechanism as   means to resolve labour disputes and for agreeing to call off the strike.

9. The  Commission wishes to thank all our teachers for the sacrifice they have always made and the  incredible job they continue to do to ensure smooth learning activities in our schools. No teacher will be victimized for participating in the industrial action.

10. The TSC  wishes to profusely thank the Government, under His Excellency President William Samoei   Ruto, for providing adequate resources for the full implementation of the CBA and all other teacher programmes despite the harsh economic environment. The TSC is committed to provide a conducive  working  environment for all the teachers in its employment.

DR. NANCY  NJERI MACHARIA, CBS
COMMISSION SECRETARY/CEO