Public university lecturers are expected to launch a national strike on Wednesday 18 September 2024 if their demands for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), delayed from 2020, remain unanswered.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a strike notice after talks with the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) failed.
These discussions held with the mediation of the Ministry of Labor on September 10, 2024, did not result in a solution. Uasu first submitted its proposal for the 2021-2025 CBA on September 4, 2020. Despite the appointment of a conciliator by the ministry, no agreement was reached.
Uasu’s proposal presented several key demands, including a salary increase. The union demanded an increase in the basic salary to Ksh 99,650 for the lowest paid professor (graduate assistant or lecturer) and Ksh 338,146 for the highest paid professor.
Currently, these positions earn Sh57,729 and Sh209,694 respectively. If an agreement is reached, at the end of the 2021-2025 cycle, the lowest paid teacher will earn 145,702 shillings and the highest paid teacher 494,415 shillings.
*Lecturer Position* – Lowest Paid(Graduate Assistant/Tutorial Fellow)
*Current Salary (SH)* 57,729
*Proposed Salary (Sh)* 99,650
*Final 2025 Salary (Sh)* 145,702
*Lecture Position* – Highest Paid (Professor)
*Current Salary (SH)* 208,694
*Proposed Salary (SH)* 338,146
*Final 2025 Salary (SH)* 494,415
Beyond the salary increase, the teachers of some institutions are also asking for the full implementation of the 2017-2021 collective agreement. Their complaints include delays in the payment of salaries and non-payment of mandatory deductions, such as pensions, loans and insurance premiums.
Uasu’s proposal also calls for an increase in housing allowance, with the union seeking an increase in a teacher’s monthly allowance from Sh73,715 to over Sh116,000.
In addition, the union wants the retirement age to be raised to 75, with early retirement optional from 50.
They also need a non-contributory medical plan that covers employees, spouses and up to five dependent children under the age of 25, with full coverage for domestic and international specialist treatments.
The union’s collective agreement also includes provisions to improve leave rights and clarify promotion guidelines.
Uasu requires 60 days of fully paid annual leave for teaching staff, as well as prorated leave for new hires. In cases where the staff postpones the leave, it will be carried over to the following year.
Promotions must be based on academic and professional qualifications, research publications and postgraduate studies. Uasu aims to ensure that the promotion criteria are transparent, objective and non-discriminatory. The promotion schedule would be consistent and clear communication would be ensured with all staff. People dissatisfied with the result of their promotion can contact the Promotion and Evaluation Committee, which will give them its opinion within 14 days.
*Demand* – House Allowance
*Current Status* – SH 73,715 for professors
*Proposed Change* – Increase to over sh 116,000
*Demand* – Retirement Age
*Current Status* – Not specified
*Proposed Change* – Raised to 75 voluntary at 50
*Demand* – Medical Scheme Contributory
*Current Status* – Contributory, limited coverage
*Proposed Change* – Non-contributory, covers staff and dependents
*Demand* – Annual leave
*Current Status* – Varies by institution
*Proposed Change* – 60 days with full pay
*Demand* – Promotion Criteria
*Current Status* – Unclear and inconsistent
*Proposed Change* – Clear objective based on qualifications.
The upcoming strike is expected to affect all 35 public universities and three constituent colleges. Uasu emphasized that during this period 30,000 employees will stop working, thus interrupting all teaching activities and other universities.
The union says the government has failed to provide fair remuneration to university employees, citing Article 41-2A of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees fair remuneration.
This strike announcement follows a series of protests at the university in recent years. In August 2024, teachers at Moi University went on strike to protest salary delays and unpaid deductions for ALL 4.1 billion. In the same, in October 2022, Egerton University teachers protested against unpaid salaries and unpaid statutory allowances, prompting Uasu to demand the dissolution of the Egerton Council. Other cases include the November 2021 strike at the Faculty of Medicine at Moi University over non-payment of clinical allowances and another in 2020 where teachers at Egerton University stopped work to deal with a cut of 40% down payment and poor financial management.
These disruptions have led to significant disruptions, such as the absence of thousands of students at graduation ceremonies.
