UASU calls for new stakeholders in strike talks

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) chairman Cyprian Ombati. [Screen grab]

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) chairman Cyprian Ombati has called on the government to involve alternative stakeholders to address the ongoing staff strike.

 In an interview on Spice FM on Thursday, Ombati criticised university councils for delaying the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is central to the strike.

 "For us to return to the negotiating table, it requires an inter-ministerial committee," Ombati said. "Sending us back to the IPCCF or vice-chancellors is a waste of time."

 Ombati explained that confusion over CBA formation has been a major issue. He proposed having a uniform CBA centralised for equal treatment across universities.

 "There are CBAs by individual universities and a national one," Ombati said. "We want one CBA. The strike is partly because we agreed to move items from local CBAs to the national one."

 He noted that public university staff salaries have not increased since 2017, despite the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s guideline for a pay increase every four years.

 Ombati revealed disparities in salaries and working conditions across universities and called for standardisation.

 "Yes, we want it to be standard so that a public lecturer in any university is treated equally," he said.

 He also suggested that lower cadre staff should receive a higher percentage increase compared to those in higher positions.

 On funding, Ombati criticised universities for using student fees to pay staff and called for salaries to be funded by the exchequer.

 "We don’t want to be paid from student fees," he said. "Fees cannot sustain a university. We want our salaries from the exchequer."

 Ombati added that universities are struggling with financial challenges, affecting loan repayments and allowances. He proposed involving the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in negotiations.

 "Let SRC come to the negotiating table to provide explanations," Ombati said. "Negotiations with vice-chancellors, who have vested interests, are problematic."

 Ombati's statements come as UASU and the Kenya Universities Staff Union declared a nationwide strike affecting over 35 public universities.