Kuppet Issues Ultimatum to TSC as CBA Negotiations Reach Critical Impasse

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Kuppet Issues Ultimatum to TSC as CBA Negotiations Reach Critical Impasse.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has told the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) not to table a counter-proposal without financial benefits in the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. The union says its members want tangible financial gains in the new deal.

This came after the TSC asked for more time to consult with other State agencies before presenting its counteroffer despite the 30 June 2025 deadline for the current CBA which has been in place since 2021.

Speaking during the National Governing Council meeting in Nairobi, Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori said members are anxious. Mr Misori said the only acceptable counteroffer must have direct financial provisions.

“TSC should bring the counteroffer as this delay is causing anxiety. The economy has improved and inflation has gone down and now teachers want money,” Mr Misori said.

Kuppet National Chairman Omboko Milemba recalled the backlash the union faced after the 2021–2025 CBA which was mostly non-monetary and was negotiated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Milemba said members had warned against a similar deal.

“Our members have told us not to accept another similar deal so this time we are pushing for real financial commitments,” Mr Milemba said.

The union has submitted its proposals to the TSC including:

• A salary increment of 30% to 70%.
• 100% increase in selected allowances.
• Reduction of CBA duration from four years to two years to allow for more frequent salary reviews.
• Review of classroom teachers’ job descriptions citing systemic bias that favours school administrators over teachers with equivalent qualifications and experience.

Kuppet also wants the disparities created by the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) to be addressed. The union is seeking to have the CPG framework abolished to allow for automatic promotions up to Deputy Principal rank. Under the union’s proposal, the TSC will establish two promotional streams commencing at Grade D1: one for administrators and another for non-administrators.And also stop acting appointments without pay. Over 99,000 teachers are acting without allowances.

On hardship zones Kuppet has said it is opposed to the government’s plan to reduce the number of hardship areas under TSC. The union termed the move as ill conceived and wants the current 44 hardship zones to be expanded. Kuppet said the living conditions are getting worse due to insecurity, human-wildlife conflict and marginalisation in areas that are not recognized as hardship regions.

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On Junior Secondary School (JSS) Kuppet said JSS should be a standalone institution to enhance efficiency and clarity of staffing.

Also the union has given the government a 7 day ultimatum to release school capitation funds. Kuppet said if the funds are not released within the timeframe it will direct heads of institutions to send learners home.

Kuppet Issues Ultimatum to TSC as CBA Negotiations Reach Critical Impasse.