The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) have called off the lecturers’ strike after a meeting with the inter-ministerial committee where they agreed on a return-to-work formula.
This was after Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua presided over negotiations between an inter-ministerial committee and UASU and KUSU officials.
“The Union shall immediately call off the industrial action upon the execution of this agreement. As a result, the employer shall withdraw unconditionally the Employment and Labour Relations Cause Number E780 of 2024 and parties shall bear their costs,” UASU stated.
According to the agreement, staff in grades 13A, 14A and 15A will receive a 7% salary increase. Additionally, an automatic annual increment of 4% of the basic salary will be effective from July 1, 2023 across the two year cycle of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Further, graduate assistants, tutorial fellows, and assistant lecturers will retire at 70 years, whereas senior lecturers, associate professors and professors will retire at 74 years .
This harmonization aims to create consistency in career progression within public universities.
Furthermore, both parties agreed to a framework for car loans and mortgage schemes tailored for public universities and their constituent colleges.
The agreement is retroactively effective from July 1, 2021, and will remain in force for four years, with provisions for extension or amendment through mutual consent.
This landmark deal aims to improve the working conditions and financial stability of university staff, marking a significant step forward in higher education labour relations in Kenya.
In addition, the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) and UASU have convened today to review salary scales for the Financial Year 2023/2025 which will be reflected in the salaries of October 2024.
On Monday, September 23, lecturers peacefully marched in Nairobi headed towards Parliament building to deliver their demands.
The lecturers were demanding better salaries, medical cover, and unified allowances for all university workers across the country.
By Jane Riana
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