Varsity dons strike persists after talks to end boycott stall

What you need to know:

The meeting had been called by universities under Inter-Public Universities’ Councils Consultative Forum with an agenda of agreeing on a return-to-work formula.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) differed with the forum that is chaired by Paul Kanyari demanding that they need an explanation on several issues among them a report on the implementation of the 2013-2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

A meeting called by universities to end one-month lecturers; strike that has paralysed learning in public institutions of higher learning aborted Monday due to row over agenda.

The meeting had been called by universities under Inter-Public Universities’ Councils Consultative Forum with an agenda of agreeing on a return-to-work formula.

But the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) differed with the forum that is chaired by Paul Kanyari demanding that they need an explanation on several issues among them a report on the implementation of the 2013-2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Uasu secretary-general Constantine Wasonga said the union had demanded a detailed agenda but the universities were only keen to talk about their return to class.

“The strike was not about signing return to work formula. We must clear all issues this time round so that we do not call another strike soon,” said Dr Wasonga who admitted that the strike had interfered with learning.

Public university dons have been on strike since November 1, accusing the government of reneging on March pay deal that offered them a 17.5 per cent pay increase and a 3.9 per cent rise in housing allowances.

READ: Treasury bypasses MPs to release Sh5 billion for striking lecturers

But the Treasury last week released Sh5.28billion to meet the pay demands of the lecturers, paving the way for the end of the strike.

Prof Kanyari said the forum would organise another meeting before the end of the week.

“For now it will be premature to comment on new demands by lecturers,” he said.

Lecturers want a return-to-work formula that will protect them from victimisation as well as reports regarding the implementation of the 2013-2017 CBA.

They also want a report on the completion of the individual universities’ 2013-2017 CBAs and the 2017-2021 CBA negotiation calendar. Another demand is a calendar for payment of pension arrears from previous CBAs.

Dr Wasonga asked lecturers to continue with their strike until the issue are resolved.