Members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) are now calling for the introduction of additional benefits tailored specifically to the teaching profession.
KUPPET Assistant Treasurer, Ronald Tonui, pointed out that other professions already have allowances for strenuous duties, and teachers should be granted similar provisions.
He noted that this demand will be included in their upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which they plan to sign with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) next year.
“Next year, we must sign a new CBA with TSC, and a salary increase is non-negotiable,” said Tonui. “We also want a standing allowance because teaching is a very demanding job. Other professions receive extraneous allowances, but we haven’t been given any. Standing allowance must appear in our payslips.”
Tonui urged union members to come forward with suggestions for additional proposals they want included in the new CBA they are drafting.
Detoxification allowance
He also mentioned that they will push for a ‘detoxification allowance’ for science teachers due to their frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals during practical lessons.
“Teachers handling chemistry work with highly dangerous chemicals, and we need to be compensated for that. A detoxification allowance must be introduced,” he emphasized.
He also advocated for the introduction of a ‘special duty or acting allowance,’ pointing out that many teachers have been serving as acting principals in various institutions without receiving any compensation for taking on those responsibilities.
Speaking during the KUPPET Siaya branch Annual General Meeting in Siaya town, Mr. Tonui noted that the recent decision by their sister union, KNUT, to skip the nationwide teachers’ strike only strengthened KUPPET.
He explained that KNUT’s absence turned out to be a blessing in disguise for KUPPET, as it gave them an opportunity to showcase their strength in the labor movement.
He added that they proved wrong those who doubted their ability to organize a powerful nationwide teachers’ strike without KNUT’s involvement.
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