Egerton University staff issue seven-day strike notice

In a statement released on Sunday, December 24, the University’s Academic Staff Union (UASU) officials led by the Chairperson Grace Nyongesa, cited the university's lack of transparency regarding the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), setting the stage for the strike to begin on January 1, 2024.

“We wish to draw your attention to the Court's Ruling in Nakuru ELRC Petition No.E012 of 2022 in which the Honorable Court ruled inter alia; ’the Petitioner should within 120 days being the end and beginning of the budget cycle demonstrate how they are implementing what is in the CBA between them and the Union and in default the Respondent Union is free to initiate a fresh strike action after giving the requisite notices as the case may be…’” read the statement in part.

The union insisted on the correct application of 2017-2021 CBA salary scales with a ten percent increase and the settlement of all deferred payments for academic staff.

“Having failed to comply with the above Court Ruling the Union hereby gives Seven (7) days Strike Notice which shall commence on January 1, 2024 and shall continue until all Academic Members of Staff are paid the Correct 2017-2021 CBA Salary Scales at 10% and all deferred pay are settled,” stated UASU.

The impending strike follows what seems to have been an unsuccessful meeting on December 22 between university management and UASU officials regarding the institution's financial status. 

This development mimics a previous seven-day strike in October, prompted by salary arrears owed to all staff members.