University Academic unions issue three day strike notice

Nairobi, Kenya: University unions have issued a strike notice effective in three days if negotiations on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) do not kick off.

The notice follows the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) snubbing a prior arranged meeting with the union heads that was scheduled for yesterday where a counter proposal was to be tabled.

University Academic Staff Union (Uasu), Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (Kudheiha) and Kenya University Staff Union (Kusu) yesterday threatened that the government should not blame them for the planned industrial action.

"We register our total disappointment with the IPUCCF for failing to show up without any notice. If by March 11 a counter proposal will not have been tabled, we shall have no reason not to mobilise our members to take the necessary action," said Uasu Chair Sammy Kubasu.

Kubasu warned that what they are seeking is smaller than the repercussions that would meet the institutions if a strike was to take place.

"We are convinced that the vice chancellors and college principals are sabotaging the negotiations basically on implications on the monies they generate in revenue from other programmes," said Kubasu.

The Uasu chair was not afraid to state that university councils do not want to engage in the negotiations lest they are forced to disclose how much revenue they generate from their 'activities' especially Privately Sponsored Student Programmes(PSSP).

"Even with petition with from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) universities cannot disclose how many workers they have," he added.

Kusu Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya noted that Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i is very willing to resolve the long injustices that has been facing workers.

"The window of amicable discussions with employer is fast closing. There is no single CBA or salary increment that has been enjoyed by our workers without industrial action so we are prepared," said Mukhwaya.

In their four year cycle proposal for 2013-2017 aligned with the new constitution, the unions are seeking to backdate harmonization of salaries and house allowances to July 2013: "Vice chancellors are making a thousand times more than the lowest officer despite the recommended range being not more than twenty times. We will not sit back and let people make money just to replenish themselves."