UASU And KUSU Call Off Nationwide Lecturer Strike Following Meeting With Government

University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) on Thursday called off the lecturers’ strike after a meeting with the inter-ministerial committee....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

This was after Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua presided over negotiations between an inter-ministerial committee and UASU and KUSU officials.

“The Union shall immediately call off the industrial action upon the execution of this agreement. As a result, the employer shall withdraw unconditionally the Employment and Labour Relations Cause Number E780 of 2024 and parties shall bear their costs,” UASU stated.

UASU and KUSU agreed on a return-to-work formula strike noting that no member of UASU will face victimisation or disciplinary action for participating in the said industrial action.

The union noted lecturers will work with their respective universities to recover learning time lost during the strike that commenced on September 18.

“The Employees, represented by UASU in Public Universities and their Constituent University Colleges, shall collaborate with the employer to establish a viable plan for recovering any teaching and learning time lost due to the strike,” it added.

UASU further demanded that the employer shall pay the basic monthly salary at the rates advised by the Government vide the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Grades 13A, 14A and 15A at 7%, and for Grades 10A, 11A, and 12A at 10 per cent with immediate effect.

At the same time, the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) and UASU will convene on September 27 to review salary scales for the Financial Year 2023/2025 which will be reflected in the salaries of October 2024.

Similarly, the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) for the cycle of 2021-2025 shall cover the last two years of the cycle starting on July 1, 2023.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga and KUSU Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya were present an inter-ministerial meeting.

On September 19, the Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended the strike. Union representatives, however, adamantly maintained that the strike would continue until their demands were met.

The lecturers demanded better salaries, medical cover, and unified allowances for all university workers across the country.

On Monday, September 23, lecturers peacefully marched in Nairobi’s central business district (CBD) headed towards Parliament building to deliver their demands.

However, the picketing turned chaotic after security forces blocked protesters using teargas to disperse crowds. Some protesters were arrested with no casualties reported…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>