The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a stern ultimatum to the government, demanding the payment of December salaries along with all arrears dating back to September 2024. The union has set a 15-day deadline, starting January 1, 2025, warning of an indefinite strike if the demands are not met by January 15, 2025. This marks yet another chapter in the ongoing standoff between university educators and the government over salary disputes.
At the heart of the issue lies the failure to implement the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which promises salary increments for academic staff. Despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Education, including a directive issued by Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala in September 2024, the December salaries were disbursed without any adjustments. This has left many teachers feeling betrayed and frustrated.
In response, UASU has accused the government of neglecting its obligations and has called for the resignation of Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba. Union leaders allege that the Ministry of Education has failed to release the funds necessary to fulfill the terms of the CBA. “This level of disregard for educators cannot be tolerated. We demand accountability and action,” stated a UASU spokesperson.
University administrators have echoed the teachers’ concerns, claiming they have not received the required funds to implement the salary increments. This funding impasse has further strained relations between the government and the academic community, with trust at an all-time low.
The union has warned that the impending strike will be more intense and disruptive than previous ones. UASU insists that it has exhausted all avenues of negotiation and that industrial action is now the only recourse. Such a strike could have far-reaching implications for universities, potentially delaying the academic calendar and disrupting ongoing research and learning activities.
As the January 15 deadline looms, all eyes are on the Ministry of Education to resolve the crisis and avoid a strike that could cripple the education sector. For educators, this fight is about more than just money it is about recognition, respect, and the fulfillment of long-standing promises.
