Union gets the flak for strike by nurses
Kenya National Union of Nurses secretary general Seth Panyako (left) addresses a press conference at Ibis hotel in Nyeri on January 25, 2014. PHOTO/ JOSEPH KANYI
What you need to know:
- Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said only 13 nurses, who had no payroll numbers, had payment complaints. The money had, however, been deposited in their bank accounts at the weekend.
- Mr Panyako accused the Transitional Authority of meddling with labour matters in the counties and called for its disbandment.
The county government of Uasin Gishu has locked horns with a trade union over a strike by nurses at the district hospital.
It accuses the Kenya National Union of Nurses of blowing the nurses’ grievances out of proportion and supporting the strike on unconfirmed claims that nurses have not been paid.
Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said only 13 nurses, who had no payroll numbers, had payment complaints. The money had, however, been deposited in their bank accounts at the weekend.
“We have a schedule showing that all nurses serving in this county have been paid, thus a strike in the name of non-payment is a lie unless there are other issues that need to be addressed which have not been brought to our attention,” Mr Chemno said.
Knun national officials visited the hospitals on Tuesday and addressed the workers.
Union secretary general Seth Panyako told the nurses that the union had started talks with the county government to end the four-day stand-off.
Supervise the unions
Mr Panyako accused the Transitional Authority of meddling with labour matters in the counties and called for its disbandment.
The unionist asked TA boss Kinuthia Wamwangi to leave such matters to the Registrar of Trade Unions whose work is to supervise the unions.
The unionist’s tirade was triggered by a misunderstanding over whether or not county governments ought to sign recognition agreements with trade unions, a position the latter is opposed to.
