Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Vice Chairman Joseph Mberia says even if talks to end the strike are called by the government, lecturers will focus majorly on the implementation of the CBA and nothing else. [Photo/allafrica.com]

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Lecturers maintain they will not relent in their push for the implementation of their 2013-2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Vice Chairman Joseph Mberia says even if talks to end the strike are called by the government, lecturers will focus majorly on the implementation of the CBA and nothing else.

He confirmed Saturday morning that so far, the government has not reached out to them for dialogue but was optimistic that their strike will go on as planned.

Prof Mberia also maintains that their Wednesday demos will continue until their demands are fully met.

Unions negotiated a Sh10 billion salary increment, which was partially honored by the government forcing 26 universities to revert to previous salaries and allowances after the coffers ran dry.

Earlier this month, Universities Academic Staff Union officials led by national secretary general Constantine Wasonga, said the money for the pay rise was approved by parliament on October 11 this year and is yet to be disbursed.

UASU officials accused the ministries of Finance, Education and the management of public universities of colluding to curtail the CBA dating back to 2013.

Varsity administrations have however failed to move workers’ salary brackets to the new rates as envisaged under the 2013-2017 CBA.