Egerton staff issue seven-day strike notice

Egerton University staff protesting at the University on November 4, 2021 on what they termed as sustained as systematic industrial injustices and employer cruelty. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Egerton University workers have issued a seven-day strike notice over what they have termed as sustained and systematic industrial injustices and employer cruelty.

Yesterday, the workers temporarily withdrew their services as they marched through the institution under the leadership of officials of labour unions

The workers belong to Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospital and Allied Workers, Kenya University Staff Union and University Academic Staff Union.

Prof Mwaniki Ngari, the UASU chapter chair, said the university leadership has continued to sink the institution deeper into a crisis that is likely to grind its operations to a halt.

“There has been high-handedness and dictatorial tendencies by a leadership that does not accommodate other person’s divergent opinions. Nobody should have the monopoly of ideas in running public institutions,” said Prof Ngari.

He said the staff and students have continued to experience a strained relationship with the neighbouring community due to the management’s disregard of their interdependence. “Although unions have demonstrated clear goodwill, the management has taken them in circles,” said Ngari.