Lecturers issue strike notice again over salaries

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga, Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU ) Secretary General Dr Charles Mukhwaya, Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) Secretary General Mr Albert Njeru, and Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) National Chairman Prof. Muga K'Olale address a press conference in a Nairobi hotel where they demanded that if CBA is not implemented by the Government, all university professors in all Kenyan public universities shall withhold their services 04/07/ 2017 [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE]

Learning in 31 public universities is set to be paralysed again this year after unions issued a 21-day strike ultimatum to the administrations.

University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said the industrial action will kick off on October 31.

In a letter to all council chairpersons of public universities dated October 3, Mr Wasonga said the strike is as a result of failure to implement basic salary and house allowance as negotiated by unions.

“We will protest the blatant violation of the university workers fundamental rights and freedoms under Article 41 and Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Kenya,” reads the letter.

Unions negotiated a Sh10 billion salary increment, which was partially honoured by the government.

Varsity administrations have failed to move workers' salary brackets to the new rates as envisaged under the 2013-2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Uasu said all its members in pubic universities and constituent colleges shall withdraw their services and not resume duty until the deal is fully implemented.

If the CBA is implemented fully as demanded by the union, the lowest paid assistant lecturer who currently earns Sh69,794 would move up to Sh82,037.

The highest paid assistant lecturer taking home Sh99,642 is expected to earn Sh117,121.

The lowest paid lecturer who earns Sh83,361 per month is supposed to get Sh97,984.

Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum Chairperson Paul Kanyari, in a letter dated August 29, said adjusting the new salaries was untenable, citing financial gaps.