UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga
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The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has announced an imminent nationwide strike set to begin at midnight tonight, bringing academic activities across public universities to a standstill.
The decision follows unsuccessful negotiations between the union and government representatives over longstanding salary disputes and the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga has directed members to cease all academic activities once the strike commences. The industrial action will affect operations at 35 public universities and three constituent colleges throughout the country. At the heart of the dispute is the unions' demand for a 7-10% salary increase, coupled with an automatic annual increment of 4% for the two-year CBA cycle.
‘’I want to tell UASU members wherever they are, just work today up to midnight, after which you should down your tools. If you have given a member 7 percent it will show, we are not dealing with illiterate people who don’t know how to calculate 7 and 4 percent so you cannot cheat them. You want UASU officials to be part of that manipulation, that one we will not do,’’ the UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga urged.
This latest development comes in the wake of a recently suspended strike, during which staff unions had agreed to enter into dialogue with government officials. However, citing insufficient progress in these negotiations, both UASU and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) have opted to resume their industrial action, accusing the government of negligence and unfulfilled commitments. In response to the escalating situation, the government has established an inter-ministerial committee comprising representatives from various key institutions, including the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, National Treasury, and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The committee also includes delegates from public universities, the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC), and union representatives. Despite this governmental initiative, union leaders remain steadfast in their decision to proceed with the strike whemphasizing the urgency of their demands and the necessity for equitable treatment of all academic staff. The unions have announced plans for a major demonstration in Nairobi to highlight their grievances and expedite government action.