Court suspends planned strike by university staff

By John Muthoni

Inter-public university council has obtained a court order to stop the strike called by workers over non-payment of Sh3.9 billion salary increments and allowances.

Industrial Court judge Monicah Mbaru issued the order to stay the strike by 23,000 workers that was scheduled to commerce today in all the 23 universities.

The order was issued shortly after talks to forestall the strike between two unions and Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi collapsed in the morning.

Federation of Kenya Employers obtained the court injunction stopping the strike by the University Academic Staff Union and Kenya Universities Staff Union on behalf of the council. The matter is scheduled for inter party hearing this morning.

FKE, through a certificate of urgency, urged Industrial Court to halt the industrial action by the dons pending the hearing of the application.

Accusing employers

The court heard that the University lecturers should give way for negotiations with their employers instead of crippling the operations of the higher education institutions.

The lecturers are accusing their employers of neglecting their Collective Bargaining Agreement and want it implemented immediately.

FKE representing the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum headed by Prof Mabel Imbuga is seeking orders to compel parties to agree to have discussions and arrive at a negotiated agreement.

“I believe your honour that industrial action is not the best way to address matters that are affecting us. We should give way to negotiations as the most comprehensive way of dispute resolutions,” said FKE in their application.

Justice Monicah Mbaru stayed the strike issued by both unions until it gave other orders after hearing the matter before it.

The Judge ordered that the applicant should serve the respondents before hearing that is scheduled for tomorrow. She ordered that they should be notified in order to appear.