Knut and Kuppet have issued contradicting statements on the directive by the Industrial Court ordering the unions to call off the teachers strike.
Following Wednesday’s ruling by Judge Nduma Nderi ordering striking teachers to return to class by Monday, Knut officials maintained that the strike is legal but said they will obey the court process.
“My Union has agreed to call of the strike following arbitration by the court,” said Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion .
Sossion said on his Twitter handle that the court has directed the government to increase teachers’ salaries.
“I will convene the National Executive Council on Friday and officially call of the strike. Teaching in public schools will resume Monday,” he added.
Kuppet however said that the strike is still on despite the court order saying that unions will consult over the new developments. “No union has called off the strike and the boycott is still on.
Members to wait for communication from the unions. KUPPET POWER!” a statement on Kuppet’s Facebook page reads.
Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori later said the union is likely to convene a NEC meeting before Sunday to communicate to teachers on the implication of defying the court order.
“The court ordered teachers to go back to work but the communication of the union will be subjected to the direction which will be given by the NEC, ” said Misori.
In her ruling, Judge Nderi said the teachers’ salary dispute will be resolved by the court. Nderi directed the union to present their memorandum in court on Monday and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to respond to the matter on January 26. She further added that teachers who participated in the strike should not be victimized.
The strike which reached its eighth day on Thursday paralysed learning across the country, with more than 280,000 primary and secondary school teachers demanding higher basic salaries and allowances.
Source-the-star.co.ke
