Striking University of Nairobi dons are engaging in unprotected job boycott and could face disciplinary action if they fail to resume immediately, vice chancellor Margaret Hutchinson has said.
She said the court had declared the nationwide strike by members of the University Academic Staff Union illegal.
Hutchinson said in an address to the university community that deans had been ordered to take daily roll call of lecturers reporting to work and those not taking part will face the music.
The strike has entered third week and has disrupted learning, research, community service and general operation in public universities.
“The matter has been prosecuted in our courts of law and deemed unprotected. As we stand, the matters are currently being processed by inter-ministerial negotiation committee and I’m hopeful matters under contention will be resolved amicably soon,” Hutchinson said.
“In light of courts directives, I hereby direct deans of faculties and chairs of departments to conduct roll call on a daily basis and submit the data to the deputy vice chancellor academic affairs, with a copy to the vice chancellor.”
She said no one will be allowed to intimidate or harass those who want to abandon the strike and go back to lecture halls.
“Any faculty member found not honouring their faculty obligations will face action in accordance with the law and their signed employment contract.”
NEGOTIATIONS
The industrial court on October 29 declared the strike illegal and directed the government and lecturers to expedite negotiations, pending a full hearing.
Hutchinson said she fully “appreciates and acknowledges the importance of the issues being raised by our academic members of staff which has also received attention from whole stakeholders” but it was time to get back to work.
The vice chancellor asked that the lecturers’ union commit to the dialogue that is being chaperoned by the inter-ministerial negotiation panel to get the outstanding issues resolved.
“May I emphasise that it is essential for UASU to dialogue and to remain committed to the ongoing negotiation. I therefore urge all the academic members of staff of the University of Nairobi to resume duty with immediate effect,” she said.
At the heart of the lecturers fight is the 2022-25 CBA, which they claim the state has reneged on.
UASU secretary general Constantine Wasonga demands they will only resume duty when the government honours the negotiated return-to-work formula to improve the academic workers’ welfare.
Hutchinson said she is available for consultation and discussions as they endeavour to promote industrial harmony at the University of Nairobi.
“It is crucial that we work together positively during these challenging times and I thank all our students for their patience and commitment to make the University of Nairobi a beacon of hope to many,” she said.
She also said preparations are in
top gear for the 77th graduation of
5,000 students on December 13.
