Gov't forms negotiating team to resolve university lecturers' strike

By Mercy Kanyi

The ongoing strike by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), now in its second week, has severely disrupted learning activities across all public institutions of higher learning in Kenya.

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua on Wednesday moved in to resolve the stalemate, engaging the unions officials in discussions aimed at finding a solution.

The meeting, attended by UASU Secretary General Dr. Constantine Wasonga and his KUSU counterpart Dr. Charles Mukhwaya, resulted in the decision to form an inter-ministerial negotiating team.

The committee, CS Mutua said, will be tasked with addressing the unions’ concerns and formulating a return-to-work agreement.

It will include representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), public universities, the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC), as well as the two unions.

CS Mutua stressed the urgency of resolving the issues at the core of the strike, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent recurrent disruptions.

“We cannot allow these matters to fester and disrupt the education of thousands of students,” the Labour CS said in a statement after the meeting.

“My ministry is committed to fairness and balance in negotiations, and it is crucial that once Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are signed, they are honoured. If challenges arise, workers must be informed in a timely and transparent manner.”

He added that: “The unions are seeking resolutions on salary increments and allowances, alongside other issues outlined in the CBA. The inter-ministerial committee will commence discussions tomorrow, and we will work diligently until we reach a resolution.”

The strike has impacted thousands of students, and both the government and the unions are now optimistic that ongoing negotiations will lead to a swift resolution and a resumption of normal activities in public universities.