The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) has dismissed Teachers Service Commission (TSC) new onslaught against the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut).
The TSC on Monday launched a new plot to severe links with the teachers union, in an apparent bid to render it a shell organization and consequently kill it.
In a letter to the Wilson Sossion-led union, TSC issued a 60-day notice to cut links with Knut, claiming that its membership falls below the required threshold.
And while Sossion has already laughed off the attempts to kill Knut, Cotu's Francis Atwoli has once again jumped to his defence, vowing to crush any such attempts.
Atwoli on Tuesday termed the decision unconstitutional and contrary to labour laws, vowing to reject it at the labour board.
"At the labour board, we will reject it. Who authenticated what TSC has said? They have no powers to do as they want and they must operate within the law. In Kenya today, even five people can sign a CBA,” he is quoted by the Standard.
Knut has since reached out to TSC for a meeting over the same.
At the same time, the union is accusing TSC of transferring its members to the rival Kenyatta Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), to reduce its membership.
“In the face of it, Knut remains recognised and the recognition agreement remains in force. You are obligated to engage the union in all matters as provided for in the agreement and your letter is mere escapist strategy to avoid engaging the union,” said Sossion in a letter dated November 5.
Sossion and the government through TSC have been locked in a an ugly faceoff lately, with Sossion severally calling for teachers' strikes over low salaries and poor working environment.
Earlier in the year, he led teachers in opposing implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which is observed as the reason behind the attempts to strangle Knut.
He also sought Atwoli's intervention when a rival faction of Knut officials sought to oust him from office, before the court rehanded him his position.