Egerton University main Campus
On October 5, the Uasu Egerton Chapter held a Special General Meeting at the Nakuru Athletics Club to determine the best course of action for the welfare of its more than 600 members. Following a full day of discussion, they announced a strike.
The Uasu national office has supported the strike and accused the university administration and the council of ignoring the hardship of its workers despite the union bringing up the issue of the members’ declining wellbeing.
Uasu claimed in a letter to the head of the university council that although it had voiced its concerns, the management had not responded to its complaints.
Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga stated, “Our members shall withdraw their labor on October 17 after the expiration of the seven days’ strike notice which was issued on October 11 unless their pertinent concerns are handled completely.”
“Your office has refused to address the issues made by Uasu on multiple occasions through memos and other modes of communication,” Dr. Wasonga accused the council and university administration.
Remittances of third-party deductions, particularly to banks, savings, and credit unions, are one of several issues that union members want resolved.
Banks have embarrassed our members financially by taking loans out of their salary accounts, according to Dr. Wasonga.
The official claimed that while some Uasu members had their properties reclaimed by creditors, others had been forcibly evicted by landlords.
The institution is also charged by the union with unilaterally and arbitrarily withdrawing the notice of change of Employer Pension Contribution.
Additionally, the resumption of annual wage increases for Uasu members has been halted while the organized system for Academic Staff Reviews and Promotions has been disregarded.
For the better part of last week, Uasu and the Kenya University Staff Union (Kusu) Egerton chapter held joint picketing prayers at the Njoro campus to forward their demands.
According to Charles Mukhwaya, national secretary-general of Kusu, the union members live in appalling conditions and have had their social lives disturbed by the non-payment of their debts.
