HUMILIATION OF A GIANT SPELLS DOOM FOR TRADE UNIONS
1. HUMILIATION OF A GIANT SPELLS DOOM FOR TRADE UNIONS.
It was the only giant trade union remaining in Kenya: the Kenya National
Union of Teachers (KNUT). Most of the others have passed on or dwindled
into struggling shells thanks to retrenchment, competition, closures,
economic decline and changed business lines. The Railway African Workers
Union (RAWU) is no more, as is the Postal Workers Union among others.
These were powerful, giant organizations which made authorities tremble.
Finally it is the turn of KNUT to knuckle under. Because it cannot adapt to
changed socio-economic realities of the day. The traditional approach to
trade unionism, like going on strike at the slightest provocation, has no
place in the modern world of instant communication. Unions that cannot
change with the times would simply be reduced to irrelevance and swept by
the wayside. It is unfortunate but true that these are not the times for
chest-thumping, fire-breathing brand of trade unionism. Neither is it time for
getting so cosy you sleep with the enemy. Once you sleep with them, they
will not seriously respect you, because they “know” you.
It is the time of working smart, and trade unionism would be no exception.
There are so many choices for the employer, and so many choices for those
with skills. Forcing either to do anything under duress has no place in the
modern society. With constant training and job upraisals, employer styles
are no longer draconian as they have been in the past. In case they are,
subtle forms of countering them are all out there, by way of transferring
skills to competition, taking legal action, media exposure and humiliation
which are anathema to any organisations’s well-being. So striking is just one
of the options.
Competion has become stiff, as more and more people are becoming
university graduates. So employers are spoilt for choice, in the spirit of
willing buyer willing seller. Let us take the example of Kenya here. The
country has about 300,000 unionisable teachers, and because of this huge
number and the crucial nature of their profession, they have managed to
hold out so far, as a vibrant and formidable trade union. Because of the
2. huge numbers there has been a perception that they are irreplaceable, only
for people to realize that, as a result of education expansion and growth,
there exists an extra pool of more than 100,000 trained primary school
teachers, diploma teachers and graduate teachers. This is not to include the
untrained but serving teachers in the field who have all the experience. Now
their employer, the Teachers Service Commission, is out to take advantage
of this situation to tame the teachers’ union. Actually, there could have been
an everyone-for-himself stampede, should the TSC had ordered all those in
“illegal” strike to reapply for appointment within 7 days. The union foresaw
this and called off the strike.
The government is coming up with the notorious concept of contract working
which industry has used all years to avoid paying pension and industrial
action. The contracted teachers are to work on three months, renewable
contracts. It is a lesson for the unions and the worker. Because of too much
unemployment and social pressures, demanding permanent and pensionable
terms are a luxury easily done away with. In any case, some companies or
employers are not even permanent affairs.
Let’s face it, employers can be difficult. In fact many are. But KNUT has
been humiliated because it has continued to be old-fashioned, and run with
the old mindset of exaggerated demands like asking for a 600 percent pay
rise. The modern day employer has no time discussing impossibilities with
people expected to be informed adults. They are professionals not interested
in your political posturing, and obviously not intimidated by it, even if you
are known to be close to authorities. Unionists actions should be driven by
the welfare of the worker but also service to society by way of goods
delivery. You do not have to ask a company that is winding up to pay you
lifelong benefits even if that was the initial agreement. Unions must not only
eat contributions from members. They should employ first rate economists
and labour relations officers who put them in the picture before they go
shouting for demands and inciting members.
Going on strike might not necessarily be a solution because circumstances
could even dictate you strike forever. Compromise can never be divorced
from contractual issues. Unlike the unions workers easily adapt to prevailing
3. circumstances and in many cases have doubts about the practicalities of
options emanating from their union bosses. With the prevailing expansion of
the job market unions will even be compelled to diversify, instead of just
being narrow, busy protecting the few members they have managed to
corner, as vast outreach opportunity lies outside amongst the unemployed
millions. Instead of being busy with those approaching retiree status, they
should also mind about the youth, their potential and their status. It was
therefore no wonder when the secretary-general of the 100,000 strong
trained but under-employed teachers gave the government on ultimatum
not to grant the striking teachers a single cent before their status is
considered.
The unions get good money from the members. They would do better to
diversify, form a kind of loan scheme to plough back. The teachers were livid
that the government agency TSC was paying its secretariat staff more
money that their field teaching equivalent. They forgot that their KNUT is
also in the same situation with the secretary-general earning Kshs.10.
million per month including allowances.
The unions get over-combative because they feel this is the best way to
justify their super perks from the struggling teachers. This combativeness
always make them appear wild and counter-productive.
All in all, Kenyan’s most powerful and active trade union has fought itself
into a trap. Its image and credibility will begin to be questionable within the
teaching fraternity and public at large. Because the government has called
their bluff, refusing brusquely to do as they demanded. They have to eat
humble pie and order their members back to class empty-handed, and
without tangible promise for future compromise. Anything short of going to
class unconditionally would have meant retribution. Sometimes it is as
painful as that, both at work and in life.
BY:
FREDERICK OWINO OYARO.
