Starting today, learning in all public universities across the country will be paralyzed. The University Academic Staff Union, UASU, has officially declared its strike.
UASU said the strike follows failed negotiations with the government. It had sought a return-to-work formula without success.
“I want to tell UASU members wherever they are, just work today up to midnight,” urged UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga. “After that, you should down your tools.”
Wesonga criticized government tactics, saying, “If you have given a member 7 percent it will show, we are not dealing with illiterate people.”
The union has been in talks with the government and hopes to sign a return-to-work formula. Their last meeting was September 26.
This came despite government efforts to convince lecturers to get back to classes. The government promised to advance negotiations to a ministerial level.
On September 25, negotiations intensified with the appearance of the Cabinet Secretary for Labour Alfred Mutua heading the team. He was accompanied by teams from the Ministry of Labour, Education, and the Treasury.
CS Mutua said, “During the meeting, we agreed on the establishment of an inter-ministerial negotiating team.” This committee will engage union concerns.
“The team will consist of members from various ministries, public universities, as well as the unions,” he further said. “We strive for a return-to-work agreement.”
The strike follows a seven-day notice by UASU and other staff unions. It was after this notice that the unions announced the industrial action.
The unions, including UASU and the Kenya Universities Staff Union, accuse the government of being complacent over the issue, even as it had initially promised to meet the demands.
Learning in the higher institutions is set for disruption, just weeks after a similar strike was called off for negotiations.
