Cotu invites Kibaki, Raila to end dispute with tea firms

By Peter Mutai

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene in the dispute over the use of tea-plucking machines.

Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the introduction of the machines was against the Government policy of creating jobs.

Atwoli, who is also the Secretary General of Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union at the weekend addressed hundreds of striking workers at Chepchabas Primary School.

Two weeks ago, KPAWU called on more than 70,000 unionisable employees in Kericho, Sotik and Nandi districts to down their tools to push for the removal of the tea-plucking machines by Unilever Tea Kenya, James Finlays, Sotik Tea, Kapchorua and Williamson tea estates.

Atwoli claimed the companies had declined to discuss with the union.

“I will write to the International Confederation of Trade Unions to complain about the failure by the employers to negotiate on the use of machines,” he added.

Atwoli warned the Provincial Administration not to be used by the companies to intimidate the workers.