The leadership of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) addressing the media during the university lecturers' strike last year. [Photo|Busness Daily]
The leadership of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has called on the government and the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative forum (IPUCCF) to expedite the implementation of the signed 2010-2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement to avert paralysis of public universities.
UASU Vice Chairman Joseph Mutura Mberia says the two parties have until January 31 to honor the CBA which he describes as long overdue.
He was speaking at a news conference in Nakuru today at the launch of 2017-2021CBA negotiations that was attended by the Federation of Kenya Employers, UASU, and the IPUCCF.
“The Government and the IPUCCF are not keeping their promise on the pension pact in the 2010-2013 CBA a move that has seen University workers at the university plunge in an indefinite wait for Ksh 4 Billion in accrued pension –Sh 2 billion for the 2010-2013 CBA and Sh 2 billion for the 2013-2017 CBA,” said Mberia.
The university pension scheme is contributory with the employer contributing 20 percent and the employee contributing 10 percent.
“The government is also dragging its feet in the quest for conclusive negotiation of the 2017-2021 CBA and the government and IPUCCF should join UASU in fast-tracking negotiations on and the signing of the CBA which ought to have been fully negotiated last year,” Mberia added.
The vice chairman observed that the sooner all concerned parties fostered goodwill on the CBAs the better for learning activities at public institutions of higher learning where annual lecturers strikes have blighted learning programs of students in recent years.
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said the union will pursue avenues at its disposal to compel the Government to honor its bit on the CBAs.