- The University Staff Union (UASU) has announced a new strike over unmet salary increases agreed in a back-to-work deal with the government in September
- UASU general secretary Constantine Wasonga asked members to stop teaching, marking and reviewing exams by midnight
- The agreement included a 10% raise for junior lecturers, a 7% increase for senior lecturers, and retroactive adjustments for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 fiscal years.
- Despite other university unions being part of the initial agreement, Wasonga clarified that he only represents UASU, and it remains unclear whether they will join the strike.
Nairobi – Classes in public universities across Kenya are set to come to a standstill as the University Staff Union (UASU) announces a fresh strike over a pay dispute with the government.
Source: Twitter
This decision follows the breakdown of the implementation of the return to work principle agreed in September, which was intended to end the previous nationwide strike.
UASU general secretary Constantine Wasonga instructed the members of the union to stop all activities of teaching, correcting and reviewing exams until the government fulfills its promise of increased salaries.
“I want to tell UASU members, wherever they are, work today until midnight; work today until midnight but at midnight with your equipment for one minute. No teaching, physical, no online teaching, no grades, no care. Down your gear until you get 7-10% plus your annual raise.” Wasonga said.
What was in the UASU-gov't return to work plan
The new salary agreement signed between UASU and the Consultative Forum of Public Universities Councils (IPUCCF), mentioned a 10% salary increase for lecturers in lower grades and a 7% increase for those in higher grades. , plus 4% annual direct. addition to their basic salaries.
Salary increases were also to be returned for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 fiscal years and implemented in the October payroll.
However, Wasonga claims the government has delayed honoring the payment, causing the union to demand that industrial action be taken immediately.
In the previous agreement, UASU and IPUCCF also included other university workers' unions, the University Workers' Union of Kenya (KUSU) and the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (Kudheiha).
However, during the meeting of the national executive council of UASU, KUSU and Kudheiha were not present.
Wasonga clarified that he only represents UASU and does not speak on behalf of other unions, leaving it unclear whether members of KUSU and Kudheiha will participate in the strike.
“I am not speaking for other unions. If they have agreed, good for them. I only represent UASU members,” Wasonga said.
Why Moi University lecturers went on strike
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Other Information, more than 900 lecturers from Moi University they were frustrated after receiving only half of their July salary.
Wasonga, who led the protest, blamed the vice chancellor of the varsity for failing to address the concerns of their employees.
He advised that the lecturers should be paid directly through the treasury to avoid air staff issues.
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