Officials of university workers union split over strike fate

Universities Academic Staff Union officials and members during a press briefing in Kisumu recently. [File, Standard]

The university workers’ union was yesterday sharply divided on the fate of the strike.

Some National Executive Council (NEC) members who spoke to The Standard yesterday said National Chairman Muga K’Olale was leading a faction that wanted the strike called off.

K’Olale was allegedly supported by Vice Chairman Muturi Mberia.

Word was that University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) Secretary General Constantine Wasonga was leading another faction that insisted the strike must continue until all issues are sorted out.

“There is sharp division in there as we speak. At first, they had agreed to call off the strike and they almost addressed the press. But further divisions emerged,” said a source who attended the meeting.

The union officials yesterday fought off the impression of sharp divisions, with both K’Olale and Wasonga insisting they were united.

Pay scale

“The NEC decision is binding to all of us and as you can see we have said the strike is on,” said K’Olale.

Wasonga cautioned anyone keen to divide the union, saying they would fail.

“If anyone thinks they can isolate the national chairman (K’Olale) and the vice chairman so that they defeat the union, let them know that they will fail,” said Wasonga.

It emerged K’Olale and his team insisted the Government had promised to release money and that strike be called off.

But the other faction maintained the strike would not be called off without a return-to-work formula.

The Government authorised the release of Sh5.2 billion to settle the salary deal of all striking staff.

The Ministry of Education said the National Treasury were working on a payment method.

It emerged the payment would be staggered into two phases, with Sh2.1 billion being released immediately to cater for the arrears accrued for the past five months.

The remaining Sh3 billion, according to sources, was to be paid monthly to universities starting next month.

This means all university workers will get their salaries adjusted to new rates from December.

A letter by National Treasury PS Kamau Thugge says the release of the money will end the strike.

But Uasu yesterday rejected the proposal, saying they wanted all demands met at once.

From next month, the lowest paid assistant lecturer will earn Sh82,037, up from the current Sh69,794.

The highest paid assistant lecturer, who currently earns Sh99,642 will have Sh117,121.

Pay scale

The lowest paid lecturer who earns Sh83,361 per month will now earn Sh97,984, as the highest paid lecturer will now earn Sh139,711, up from Sh118,861.

A senior lecturer who earns Sh94,215 will now get Sh110,742 per month while the highest paid senior lecturer is set to earn Sh158,967, up from the current Sh135,243.

The least paid associate professor, who takes home Sh122,956, is expected to get Sh144,524 while the highest bracket under this category moves from Sh172,960 to Sh203,300 per month.

Professors will earn Sh248,898, up from the current Sh211,753 per month.