Thursday, August 27, 2015

SRC under fire for protesting teachers’ pay rise

By Benjamin Wafula, Citizen Digital


Kuppet
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teacher (Kuppet) has told off the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) after it objected the implementation of new teachers’ salaries.
Speaking in reference to reports in the media quoting SRC chair Sarah Serem’s reservations over the salaries increment, Kuppet chair Omboko Milemba said the teachers’ battle with Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has stretched for long saying it was time for payments to be effected.
Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori said the union will not hold any more meetings with TSC to discuss the salary increment saying the court ruling seals the deal.

“In convening a meeting, TSC is trying to play delay tactics in order to stall the implementation of the new pay,” said Misori.
“We decided to snub the meeting because it does not have teachers’ interest at heart. The meeting is mischievous and did not adhere to the laid down procedures for convening a meeting.”
Kuppet also took issue with TSC for trying to stop salary increment for teachers through the courts saying the ruling made by the Employment and Labour Relations Court and Court of Appeal should be adhered to.
“We have had a total of 16 meetings with TSC but they decided to take us up to the highest court in the land in a bid to prevent teachers from getting a pay rise,” said Akela.
“No form of engagement will sanitise the process except abiding by the rule of law and adhering to the court order allowing teachers to get a pay rise.”
The union also pointed out that TSC should use Sh170 billion allocated to them in the budget to effect the salary increment, which they said required Sh3.5 billion.
“TSC should use the 170 billion allocated to them in the budget to pay teachers and call for a supplementary budget to fill the deficit. The increment will just require Sh3.5 billion per month from TSC and that should not be difficult for the commission to avail.”
They read mischief in TSC move to pay teachers on August 11th ahead of the Supreme Court ruling saying the commission now has no option but to embrace the court ruling.
“Having send salaries early, TSC should now adjust their pay slip and factor in the new pay.”
Kuppet also allayed fears that a pending strike will affect national exams saying Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has the ability to push the exams forward.
Last week, the Supreme Court denied TSC an appeal requesting to cancel a stay order by the Court of Appeal wanting TSC to pay teachers new salary rates in line with Labour Relations Court ruling.
The Court had ordered TSC to effect the rates beginning end of August pending the hearing of the petition on  September 22, 2015.

http://citizentv.co.ke/news/src-under-fire-for-protesting-teachers-pay-rise/

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