TUK lecturers Threaten to Strike Over Salary Delays.
Normal operations at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) may grind to a halt on Tuesday, following a strike notice issued by staff unions. This comes after unsuccessful attempts to resolve delayed December 2024 salary payments with the university administration, staff members confirmed on Sunday.
The Secretary of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) TUK Chapter, Fred Sawenja, stated that the union, alongside the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and KUDHEIHA, had concluded that TUK violated its employment contract with staff by failing to pay salaries.
Union leaders declared that if the December salaries are not paid by Monday, members will boycott work, disrupting classes and examinations scheduled for the week.
Mr. Sawenja expressed that union members would stage a major demonstration to present petitions to the National Assembly, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education.
The government has been urged to intervene and address the financial crisis before it escalates. Mr. Sawenja emphasized that employees cannot endure the university’s financial instability without a resolution.
Financial Struggles and Staff Well-being
Staff unions highlighted the severe financial impact on workers, citing penalties due to unpaid bank loans. For ten months, TUK has failed to remit premiums, exposing workers to Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) listings and threats from auctioneers.
Ms. Yucabed Gwaya, Acting Chairperson of KUSU-TUK, described the financial hardships faced by staff, explaining that unremitted loans have led to prosecutions and psychological distress. Many employees cannot secure credit to support their families or pay school fees due to CRB listings.
“The resilience of TUK staff has been stretched to its limits,” Gwaya noted, calling for immediate government intervention.
The issue of employee stagnation was also raised. According to union leaders, over 500 staff members who qualify for promotions have remained in the same positions for years.
Mr. Andrew Musungu, Branch Secretary of KUSU-TUK, explained that staff who earn PhDs are entitled to lecturer promotions but are instead given one-year contracts, denying them gratuity. He described this practice as a significant injustice.
“We cannot be blamed for students missing exams when the government and administration fail to fulfill their responsibilities,” Musungu remarked.
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Call for Resolution
Unions demanded the clearance of arrears totaling one billion shillings from local and national collective bargaining agreements dating back to 2010. This financial backlog, they claimed, underscores the institution’s chronic mismanagement.
In conclusion, staff unions are resolute in their demands, insisting that the government, university council, and employer take immediate action to avert the looming shutdown of TUK.
TUK lecturers Threaten to Strike Over Salary Delays.
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