Pay row: Varsity dons issue fresh strike threat

UASU National Chairman Muga K’olale (second right), during a press briefing in Kisumu in November 2017. [File, Standard]

Learning could be paralysed in public universities in two weeks if lecturers make good their threat to down tools over pay.

The Universities Academic Staff Union, (UASU), has warned of yet another strike if the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), fails to honour a 2017/2021 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Addressing Maseno University dons in Kisumu yesterday, UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said a strike was looming because SRC is still reluctant to resolve the matter.

“The CBA ought to have been negotiated and completed in June 2016 for it to be implemented as from July 1 2017. So UASU reminds Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) and SRC to honour their commitments,’’ said Dr Wasonga.

UASU officials warned that the union will not hesitate to call a nationwide strike in the 32 public universities if the government does not offer a reasonable deal.

UASU Chairman Prof Muga K’Orlale said their patience was running out. “The strike is glaring and slowly creeping back because the State has blatantly refused to listen to us,’’ said K’Olale.

They were unhappy with reluctance to honour the CBA as agreed. The union called off the 78-day strike without a solid CBA.

“It is our right to strike and the issues must be resolved with remarkable immediacy. If that is not done let them know that we will hold a series of ceaseless strike until we are listened to,’’ K’Orlale said.

Wasonga asserted: “SRC is guilty of contempt of court. The commission was supposed to obey court directives but has not. Yet it is them who were tasked to provide for us the beacons to negotiate fresh CBA.’’

Months after the Employment and Labour Relations Court decreed that the union negotiates CBA afresh under the guidance of SRC, the commission had not done so.

Dr Wasonga challenged SRC to honour the court order and convene an urgent meeting with Uasu, since lecturers want better pay packages to motivate them.

Although they were trying their best to teach, UASU said the level of morale among them was low due to poor remuneration.

“We have talked to and written severally to SRC Chair Lyn Mengich over the CBA and her response is not convincing. Her word has been be patient and we are wondering until when? Wasonga posed.