Varsity staff vow to down tools over pay

A showdown looms as about 12,000 university workers including lecturers are set to down their tools this week.

The industrial action in the country’s seven public universities and 12 constituent colleges and campuses threatens to disrupt academic programs as they re-open for the third semester.

And at least 1,900 workers of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology have endorsed the strike called by union leaders.

The workers vowed to paralyse operations in the university from September 6 when the strike is set to begin at the expiry of a seven-day notice.

They welcomed the decision by Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and Universities Non-Teaching Staff Union (Untesu), to resort to industrial action following the collapse of salary negotiations.

The unions are demanding a resumption of the stalled 2010-2012 collective bargaining agreement between workers’ representatives, the universities’ management and the government.

JKUAT Uasu chapter secretary-general Joseph Mutuura Mberia and his Untesu counterpart Nickson Chege said they would ensure all departments are closed and services suspended during the strike.

Among the grievances raised in the strike notice issued on August 29, the trade unionists are accusing the universities of “blatant violation of university workers’ fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution”.

The strike notice was signed by Uasu secretary-general Muga K’Olale and Charles Mukhwaya of Untesu.

Mr Mberia castigated Finance minister Njeru Githae over his claim that the government had no money to pay the lecturers.

“We understand Mr. Githae said he can’t pay and won’t pay. We also tell him we can’t lecture and won’t lecture!” said the unionist.