By Michael Oduor
Taita Taveta University lecturers and workers have called off their strike after signing a return to work formula with the institution’s management in Mwatate on Thursday morning.
This came after over 400 members of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions and Hospital Workers (KUDHEIHA) and Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) when on strike pushing for better pay.
The unions were demanding the implementation of the 2017/2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Through the agreement, the government committed itself to provide a pay increment of Sh13.8 billion.
According to the union’s officials, the decision was arrived at after the management offered Sh12 million out of the Sh16 million the institution owed to the staff.
KUSU branch Secretary-General Joel Wanina reiterated that the unions took the decision following Wednesday’s fruitful talks with the university’s management.
Wanina added that the return to work formula was signed after the assurance by the management that their increments would be addressed starting next month.
“Our members have gone back to work as we wait for the implementation of our agreement as of 1st November, 2021,” said Wanina.
The employee’s salaries will be paid as agreed in the CBA with effect from November 1, 2021, according to the return to work formula documents which were signed by the Vice-chancellor Prof. Fred Barasa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Research and Outreach) Prof. Christine Onyango, her Administration, Finance and Planning counterpart Prof. Kiptanui Too and the union officials.
The document also stated that the employees will not suffer any victimization and both parties will ensure that the local chapter CBA is concluded within three weeks from November 1.
“There shall be no victimization whatsoever by or of any party here in and the employer shall forthwith and unconditionally stop all disciplinary processes and withdraw all show cause letters, dismissal letters and any other written or verbal punishment or threat of punishment emanating from this picketing,” stated the return to work formula document.
It was also documented that the parties agreed to engage in negotiations further in good faith and trust to restore the industrial harmony in the University.
Promotions of deserving workers and employment of casuals where two will be employed in every financial year are among the grievances that are expected to be addressed.
From the management commitment document, the university will also purchase an ambulance in the next financial year 2022/2023 through asset based financing.
