The Union of Veterinary Practitioners of Kenya has suspended a nationwide strike that was to start on Saturday, March 11, 2023, after they held talks with the national government and the Council of Governors (CoG) on their terms of service.
The UVPK Secretary-General Miheso Mulembani announced in a letter the strike notice had been called off to allow parties to negotiate and agree within 60 days.
Veterinary practitioners in the country have been embroiled in an unending Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) dispute with the national and county governments.
Mr Mulembani stated in the letter that the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Livestock Development, Mr Harry Kimtai, and the CoG had agreed to hear and address their grievances.
"The national strike by veterinary practitioners which was to begin on March 11, 2023, at midnight is hereby suspended to allow for comprehensive engagement with the 48 employers," he said.
Among the issues the union termed as the reasons for its earlier strike notice include the delayed signing of the recognition agreements by the State Department of Livestock Development and the CoG, as well as the negotiation of their CBA.
They also cited the failure of the county governments to remit union dues as well as the lack of employment, promotion and succession management as the reason for the strike.
Non-payment of extraneous, non-practice and risk allowances together with delayed posting of veterinary interns and lack of in-service post-graduate training is listed as part of their grievances.
"In light of the strike notice, the parties including the UVPK, the Principal Secretary for Livestock development Mr Harry Kimtai and the Council of Governors held consultative meetings on the 9th and 10th March 2023, where it was agreed that the strike grievances key being delayed negotiations and signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement be completed within the next 60 days," read the letter in part.
It added, "As you are aware, the UVPK National Executive Board (NEB) has invoked the rights under article 21 2(d) of the Kenya Constitution, the provisions of the Labour Relations Act 14 of 2007 and the articles under the UVPK Constitution for the commencement of a nationwide industrial strike as from 11th March 2023 as a result of 5 Key labour grievances".
