Strike

Ever since the government announced its budget last week the teachers have been upset. One of the campaign promises made by the new president was laptops for every student entering first grade next year. Money was allotted for this in the new budget. I have been hearing fellow teachers complaining about it saying it was unfair to teachers. I didn’t understand until yesterday their reasoning.

Most employees in Kenya are civil servants including health care workers and teachers. That means when employees are frustrated with their salary or working conditions they have to negotiate with the government. It seems that the only way to get the attention of the government is to go on strike. When health care isn’t available or schools and universities are closed, that they notice. Unfortunately the government doesn’t always keep their part of the agreement.

If you remember, teachers went on strike during September last year. Part of their grievance was that they had never gotten the agreed upon salary increase promised over ten years ago. As part of the negotiated settlement, the government agreed to harmonize (make equal to) the salaries of all civil servants. (The teachers’ salary was less than other civil servants.) That agreement was kept.

However, the second part wasn’t: they would harmonize the allowances teachers receive to that of civil servants when the new budget came out. Allowances are extra pay for things such as housing, transportation, hardship allowance for those that live in remote areas, etc. That’s why teachers were so upset last week, the new budget hadn’t allowed for the increase in teachers’ allowances.

There has been talk of a strike for over a week. I really hadn’t paid much attention to the talk and we haven’t been watching the news lately. The teachers and the government started negotiations on Friday and were to continue on Monday. If the teachers’ conditions weren’t met, they would go on strike. Yesterday we heard rumours that the strike was on. However, our school representative to the union hadn’t received any official communication about a strike.

I don’t teach until 10:20 today so I didn’t go into school until about 9:30. When I got there I was informed that Mr. Terrer, our union representative, had received notice that the strike was on. Teachers were already at school and most were making arrangements to leave shortly. At tea time there was much talk in the staff room about what to do. They warned that we needed to be ready to literally jump over the fence if they should show up. Union officials often make site visits to make sure teachers are not working. Violence is usually involved.

Rumour was that they had already been to St. Michael's in Kitale this morning to check on them. Our gatekeeper had been alerted that he wasn’t to allow any visitors on the compound.

I have class at 10:20. I decided to remain because most teachers were still there, teach that class and then leave. During the last five minutes of class there was a gentleman at the door . It’s extremely unusual for visitors to appear at the classroom, it simply isn’t done. I finished my statement and walked over to greet him and see what he wanted. He politely informed me that there was a strike and that no teachers were allowed to teach. I thanked him and told him I would leave. I’m guessing I got special treatment because I’m a mazungu.

I saw four union officials. They were herding teachers off the compound. When I went to the staff room, it was pretty deserted. I gathered my things and dropped off work for another one of my classes. I heard one of the officials say they were going to escort us off the compound to make sure we left.

As I left I gave a couple of teachers a ride. Immaculate had hidden in the bathroom. There was a banging on the door and she was told to come out. I guess she was in there for over five minutes thinking he would go away. He didn’t.

Ebby was telling that she along with many other teachers were in the staff room when the officials came. They were rudely ordered to get off the compound, teachers weren’t even to be in the staff room. It sounds as if they were extremely harsh and threatening. They said they would be back this afternoon with whips to make sure no one was there.

So, I have an unexpected holiday. I won’t go to school tomorrow. I’ll go early (6:30) Friday morning to drop off work that I have prepared for my Form II and IIIs to do while I am gone for the next ten days for the wedding. They may or may not do it. If the strike lasts for long, students will be sent home. The last strike lasted for two weeks.

To further complicate all principals are in Mombasa this week for convention!

I’m glad to report that as far as I know, all St. Monica’s teachers are safe.