Striking University lecturers have said that they would only call off their industrial action and resume back to classes if the government agreed to increase their Sh10 billion offer.
Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) top officials yesterday told Senate that the Sh10 billion offered by the State is meager and would only translate to 3 percent salary increment to each don.
The leaders who appeared before the Senate Education Committee accused the government of not adjusting their salaries accordingly in respect to their Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA).
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said that the Inter Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) has failed to table a counteroffer based on the demands and plights of lecturers.
Wasonga termed the Sh10 billion offer as peanuts since it would be shared among KUSU, UASU and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals unions.
“This was a slap on the face on dons because the Sh10 billion could translate to 3 percent salary increment. We are requesting Senate to intervene so that this issue can be solved and we resume back to classes,” he said.
“IPUCCF has reached to an agreement with the government and the duty of the Unions is just to accept their proposals. I thought it is the role of the Unions and IPUCCF is to negotiate with the government. What is the role of the union?” added Wasonga.
They accused IPUCCF of not providing them with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) parameters to enable them give their input in the negotiations.
