The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wasonga has confirmed that their ongoing strike will continue until a deal is reached with the government.
UASU, alongside the Kenya Universities Staff Union, began the nationwide strike on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, across all public universities, citing delayed salaries and lack of medical cover among other key issues.
UASU demands
Speaking to union members and the media, Wasonga stressed that they are also demanding the 7-10% salary increase that other public service employees received.
He expressed gratitude to all 40 branches of the union for responding to the strike call.
“Other public employees were given a 7-10% increase, and we, too, are government employees. We want the same. I thank all our branches for heeding the call. I woke up at 2:00 am to coordinate with the branch secretaries, and I appreciate their support,” Wasonga stated.
He urged union members to continue the strike until a return-to-work formula is negotiated and signed, emphasizing that striking is a constitutional right.
“We are ready for talks, but we will continue the strike until we strike a deal. While negotiations happen, you will remain on strike. Once we sign a deal, we will return to work. Until then, strike with no abandon. Article 41 of the Constitution allows us to strike, and that’s what we are doing,” Wasonga said.
Wasonga criticized those who delayed addressing their proposal, which was submitted on September 4, 2024, and demanded resignations from anyone unable to handle the matter.
“We will not accept being told to collect fees before receiving our salaries. Universities are state corporations, and the vice-chancellor’s salary is under State Cooperation B, but the rest of the staff are treated as civil service. How do you equate a professor with someone in Job Group S in civil service?” Wasonga questioned.
“You cannot give people jobs they cannot perform. Comparing a PhD holder to Job Group N is unacceptable.”
Last week, UASU members issued a seven-day strike notice, accusing the government of failing to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), signed in 2021. Wasonga expressed frustration that the government had delayed acting on their proposal for four years.
