New KCC begins negotiations with workers following strike notice

KENYA – New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC) has begun negotiations with its employees to prevent a strike following a 21-day notice issued by workers.

The Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers (KUCFAW) officials met with New KCC representatives at the Federation of Kenya Employers offices on October 11 to address concerns raised by the workforce.

One of the key agreements reached in the meeting is the finalization of medical cover for unionizable staff by October 13.

Additionally, discussions on a payment plan for the sacco (savings and credit cooperative society) and pension remittances will take place, with the management reporting back to the joint meeting scheduled for October 17.

Another important point of agreement was the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees. PPEs will be distributed in three batches between December 1, 2023, and February 1, 2024.

The New KCC also confirmed that bank remittances have been updated, and the union will verify any penalties associated with late remittances.

Transfer allowances are to be disbursed by October 12. For positions where staff members have been in acting capacities for more than six months, a competitive internal recruitment process will be implemented to fill those positions.

The negotiations and agreements aimed at addressing the concerns raised by New KCC workers, which led to the issuance of a strike notice.

Resolving these issues was essential to avert a potential strike that could disrupt the operations of the New KCC.

The New KCC plays a significant role in Kenya’s dairy industry, and a strike could have implications for the country’s milk supply and dairy processing.

Therefore, reaching a mutually acceptable resolution is in the best interest of both the workers and the company, as well as consumers who rely on the dairy products produced by New KCC.

As the negotiations continue, both parties will need to work collaboratively to find solutions that address the workers’ concerns while also ensuring the stability and continuity of New KCC’s operations in the dairy sector.

The outcome of these negotiations will have a substantial impact on the future working relationship between the company and its workforce.