Public Universities lecturers and Staff have called off their 49-day nationwide strike after closing a deal with the government.
The lecturers under the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and Kenya Union Of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals & Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), announced the decision after government agreed to pay Ksh7.9 billion arrears under the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Speaking to the press after a successful meeting with the Ministry of Education, UASU Secretary General Constatine Wasonga stated that they have signed a return to work formula under which the payment will be made in two instalments.
As per the agreement, the first phase of the disbursement will be done between November and December and the second in June next year.
“We have agreed to be paid in two instalments – one between November and December at a cost of 3.8 billion shillings, and the second in June next year. We are happy that we have secured the whole amount,” Wasonga said.
Wesonga also apologised to University students for the disruption of learning caused by the strike adding that the union will not call any industrial action until 2030.
“I want to apologise to the comrades for the 42 plus days they have lost. However, our members have committed that they are going to recover the lost time fully,” Wasonga stated.
“It is upon the government that you honour what we have signed here today. If you honour what we have signed here today, I want to commit that there shall be no strike called by UASU up to 2030,” he added.
The parliamentary committee on Education on Tuesday November 4, had convened a meeting attended by UASU, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Treasury to chat ways towards a reconciliation.
