The Employment and Labour Court suspended a strike by university employees under the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) that began on Wednesday.
Justice Jacob Gakeri ordered the university staff's industrial action to be suspended after the Inter-Public Universities’ Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) filed an urgent suit.
“Upon considering the Notice of Motion, Supporting Affidavit and annexures, it is hereby ordered that in the meantime the respondent is temporarily restrained from calling, instigating, or inciting others to take part in any strike or other form of industrial action,” he ordered.
Further, he directed the parties to engage in negotiations with a view of resolving the disputed issues consensually.
“It is hereby ordered that the parties continue negotiating with a view to resolving the disputed issues consensually.”
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KUSU and UASU staff members had downed their tools due to the non-implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Speaking on Wednesday, the leaders of the unions expressed their frustrations over delays in 2021-2025 CBA.
They decried low pay, delayed statutory deductions, non-remittance of statutory deductions, and the government's failure to implement comprehensive medical coverage.
The unions announced the move following the expiry of a seven-day strike notice on September 11.
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga stated that unions demand a seven to ten percent salary increase.
“We don’t want promises we gave our proposal on 4th September 2020. If you are still asking for more time in 2024 think twice! We are also government employees and we want the 7-10 per cent other service employees were given,” Wesonga stated.
