Striking university lecturers insist on implementation of CBA

Officials from the Universities Academic Staff Union, UASU and University lecturers have urged the government to implement the 2013/2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in a bid to end the stalemate with the dons.

Speaking to the media, the dons said it is high time the government facilitates negotiations around the CBA before the period of budgetary estimates expires in March.

This comes barely a week after university workers in at least nine universities began their nationwide strike, even as the Labour Relations Court termed it illegal.

The workers are pushing for the implementation of their CBA which awarded them a pay rise and if implemented would also see the working conditions improved as well as more lecturers recruited to bridge the current deficit.

In Machakos, UASU members downed their tools saying they will only call it off once the CBA is implemented in full.

Led by the Secretary General, Njoki Ndugu, the dons maintained they would not go back to work until the government meets their demands.

Elsewhere in Egerton University, the workers also joined their colleagues in the strike carrying placards while demonstrating along the university streets demanding implementation of the CBA.

The strike commenced despite a Labour and Employment Court ruling that pronounced it illegal, effectively warning members of UASU from participating in it saying that it was unprotected.

Meanwhile, Chuka University Vice Chancellor Professor Erastus Njoka has ordered all the teaching and non-teaching staff to resume work this morning (Monday).

He added that the workers should obey the directive from the court and give room for negotiations.