Dons to continue with their industrial action despite a Sh10bn Government offer

dennis kibet

February 9, 2017 11:26 AM

The package is meant to cover for basic salaries and housing allowances.

University lecturers on strike in Egerton University.

The government has offered staff in public universities a Sh1o billion offer in its latest attempt to end the lecturers’ strike which is in its third week.

The package, which is meant to cover for basic salaries and housing allowances, was tabled on Wednesday during a five hour meeting between the Universities Academic Staff Union and the Inter Public Universities Consultative Council Forum (IPUCCF).

“UASU reports some progress in negotiations with IPUCCF regarding the 2013-2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA),” the Union’s Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said.

However, UASU however said the nationwide strike by the lecturers will remain in force pending the negotiation, signing, registration and implementation of the 2013-2017 CBA which the union is keen to secure before the end of the current Fiscal Year.

Further consultations

Dr Wasonga said the union still needs to consult with its members over the offer.

“We assure all academic staff that UASU shall endeavor to obtain the best possible terms of service that safeguard the dignity of Dons," Wasonga said.

According to The Standard, the union also want to know the specifics of how much each lecturer will get.

"It is not just about giving us figures. We are not interested in the lump sum, what matters to us is what the offer translates into to an individual lecturer," said Wasonga.

Uasu demands will see lecturers paid six times what they are earning now.

This will see the highest paid lecturer take home Sh1.2 million monthly and the lowest Sh248,430.

The demands are contained in the contentious 2013-2017 CBA the lecturers' union wants implemented before they can return to work.

Currently, a professor, the highest paid, earns Sh211, 000. Wasonga said they want their salaries to match those of their counterparts in the rest of the civil service.

dennis kibet