University Union Issues A 7-Day Strike Notice, Here Is Why

University Academic Staff Union (UASU) members have issued a 7-day strike notice over the government’s failure to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) that was signed by the two parties in 2021

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga noted that despite conducting 10 meetings with relevant authorities, nothing has been implemented yet.

Speaking in Kakamega, Wesonga said that the team submitted their proposal to the government on September 4, 2024, but since then, the government has been taking them around in circles without substantive commitment.

She confirmed that after the disagreements, the union decided to disengage and take the legal process of initiating an industrial action route.

According to Wesonga, the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), are colluding to undermine lecturers’ demands over the implementation of the CBA.

The SRC introduced percentile without public participation. The percentile is a new factor that has not been used in any CBA negotiations since the inception of the Union which has affected the negotiations.

The union is also protesting SRC’s move to increase the salaries of a small section of the lecturers while overlooking the majority of them.

This university strike could add to the recent turbulence in the education sector, which has already been dealing with several challenges. The strike notice comes just a week after secondary school teachers ended their week-long strike that had halted teaching and learning nationwide.

The lecturers’ strike threatens to disrupt the new university academic calendar that started in September and may delay graduation ceremonies scheduled for October and November at various institutions.

The universities could face several crises if the union resumes with strikes, due to funding model issues, and a frustrated teaching staff, which would further complicate the learning environment.

USAU represents 10,000 – 12,000 academic staff members across the country and their strike may cost tertiary education to a standstill. The Union is also opposed to the new university funding model claiming it needs to be tailored to serve both learners and universities.

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