COTU lauds Kenyatta for brokering teachers’ pay deal

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has applauded President Uhuru Kenyatta’s initiative to restore sanity in the education sector.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the President’s decision to bring an understanding between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the two teachers unions, namely Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) was a big step towards ending the perennial teachers’ strikes.

In a statement, Atwoli who is currently in Switzerland, asked the government to be genuine in the discussions and engagement with the two trade unions without pegging conditions on the resultant negotiations as well as conditioning the teachers to the Court of Appeal ruling and equally the unions should embrace a give and take attitude without placing obstacles on the negotiations.

“Indeed the President’s initiative to unlock the stalemate and stand-off as well as embrace upon dialogue between the parties remain the best because world over the Industrial Relations embraces upon dialogue and it is against this background that COTU had appealed to the International Labour Organization (ILO) to intervene because there was no dialogue between the parties involved in the dispute and COTU hopes and trusts that a lasting solution will be reached with a view to bringing an end to the dispute that has been on for years,” read the statement in part.

Atwoli noted that the stand-off has been too long and any process of mediation is what COTU has been appealing for and on several occasions.

“If the President can now intervene with the set negotiations proceeding on genuinely and in good faith, then COTU takes lead in supporting this initiative because as the umbrella workers’ body in the country, COTU believes in Industrial peace as we can only grow our economy in an environment where Industrial Relations’ peace thrives,” stated Atwoli.

In addition, the Secretary General advised that in the spirit of give and take, the negotiations should remain fare and independent from any forces imagined or otherwise and both KNUT and KUPPET should work closely with their attorneys so that every bit of the regulations and law is invoked and fully understood.

Atwoli asked the two teachers’ unions to remain united and speak with one voice in the interest and benefit of their members, noting the success to the long road they have fought can only be guaranteed if the solidarity they have exhibited over the years will remain their cradle.

Atwoli is in Geneva, Switzerland attending the on-going 325^th ILO Governing Body meeting.