News

The Communications Workers Union of Kenya (COWU) had issued a strike notice for 17 May over Telkom Kenya’s dismissals, retrenchments, unfavourable working conditions, delayed negotiations and strategies aimed at removing the union.

A press release signed on May 13 by the company, the union and the ministry of labour confirmed that the parties had reached an agreement on the issues raised by the union.

The strike was called off after an agreement was reached that 13 of the 22 fired workers will be reinstated while 95 retrenched workers would be paid one-month severance pay for each year worked and repatriation allowance.

Telkom Kenya recommitted itself to continue recognising the union. Protective clothing would be provided to employees while overtime, subsistence and transfer allowances would be paid as per the existing collective agreement.

A salary increment of 8 per cent has also been awarded to unionised employees from 1 January to 31 March this year with a subsequent increment of 7.5 per cent from 1 April to 31 March 2011.

COWU General Secretary Benson Okwaro reports that negotiations for a new collective agreement are now underway and thanked union members for their support.