Lecturers have vowed to intensify their nationwide strike beginning next Monday days after rejecting Sh 10 billion lump sum offer by the government.
The dons under their umbrella union, University Academic Staff Union (UASU), said they will heightened demonstration across all public universities in the country to push for their pay increase.
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga denied claims that the Sh 10 billion government offer , was meant for the lecturers’ union clarifying it was an offer for all the three unions in the public universities.
Wasonga said the much was to be shared among the three unions, UASU, Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels, Education Health Institutions and Allied Workers (Kudhehia) and not only for UASU as was being peddled.
“The government gave an offer of Sh 10 billion for the 2013 – 2017 CBA cycle, we know the figure sound big but it was meant to cover for more than 30,312 public universities staff represented by all the unions: Uasu, Kusu and Kudheiha and to cover a four year cycle of 48 months,” said Wasonga.
“Academic staff have resolved not to go back to work until we complete this CBA. The counter offer is grossly below the market value of academic staff,” he added.
Wasonga claimed the offer when unpacked translates into 3.2327 percent compounded increment on basic salary and 1.6163 percent on house allowance.
The lecturers have been demanding 30 and 20 percent increment on basic salary and house allowance respectively compounded for four years.
“As from Monday, you are going to witness the mother of all strikes; all Chapter secretaries are hereby directed to upscale the strike to the highest levels until we see money in our accounts,” directed the union boss.
“To the parents, guardians and students do not be cheated, there will be not a single lecturer in all the universities across the country, ” he added.
UASU chairman Muga K’Olale accused Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) of handling the talks casually claiming the Sh 10 billion offer had no union’s input but was single handedly arrived at by the IPUCCF.
“UASU is extremely disappointed by the failure by the government and IPUCCF to table a reasonable counteroffer; even when UASU has tabled a new and reasonable proposal, in which we have made reasonable compromises,” said K’Olale.
The leaders however maintained they are still committed to talks with the government to find a way out of the stalemate that has paralysed learning in all public universities in the country for now one month.