Chairman’s Report
Solidarity:
Solidary brothers and sisters! While thanking God for keeping all of us safe and sound since our last AGM, let’s observe a minute of silence in honour of our departed colleague – Prof. Manyonge of School of Mathematics.
Progress:
Like other years, the ending year has had its own share of challenges but allow me to start my report with the great progress made so far. We had favorable court verdicts regarding the cases that arose from the re-election of our Chapter Secretary in early 2023. The Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) sitting in Kisumu upheld his election in November 2023 and later ordered his reinstatement to the service of Maseno University. Our 2021-2025 National CBA is finally on the table. An agreement has been inked in a Return-To-Work-Formula (RTWF) dated 26th September 2024.
Even though, the Ministry of Education and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) are attempting to scuttle the CBA, we are certain that we will push it through. I want to sincerely thank you members for standing up for your right to decent pay during the nation-wide strikes (18th-26th Sept 2024 that yielded the RTWF; 29th October – to date). The current strike is not only to force the payment of new salaries but also the implementation of Car & Mortgage loans, comprehensive medical scheme, commuting, leave, professorial, and book allowances.
Locally, reviews of academic staff have been jumpstarted while the BBF policy has been approved by the University Council subject to outsourcing of the service. Members’ pension contributions that the employer had failed to remit to our pension scheme have all since been remitted and members’ statements should now be up to date. May I also report that significant progress has been made to make the work environment conducive to our colleagues that are abled differently. In particular, several buildings now have ramps and disability friendly washrooms. We are expecting new DVCs and hopefully the incoming team should sweep better.
Outstanding issues
A number of issues remain outstanding:
We are still following up on the five courses per semester that were declared
illegal by the courts. The court judgment was loud and clear – the five courses
are null and void. We must now stand up for our right and reject the extra
courses.
The employer still owes us arrears from the National 2017-2021 CBA. The Na
tional Office is in court to challenge the notice of appeal by the Ministry of Ed
ucation challenging the registration and full implementation of the CBA. We
shall ultimately get our arrears.
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Our medical scheme still runs into challenges every so often. The main issues
of late are congestion at the clinics and limited medical supplies. We are keep
ing the employer on toes to address these challenges. Members should reach
out to the Chief Medical Officer when under medical duress. You can also reach
out to UASU officials and the chairman in particular in case of any difficulty.
Conclusion
UASU office and I, the chairman, acknowledge and commit to face these outstanding
issues head on. Allow me to appreciate UASU members including ‘team WhatsApp’ for
persistently calling out the office whenever there are issues. I cannot forget the other
members that call on me to complain and advise whenever things are not going on
well. However, even as you criticize the office, I also challenge you to remember that
the office is only as strong as the members that rally behind it– ‘United we bargain,
divided we beg’.
Finally, may I warmly welcome you all, to this meeting, to support and engage the
UASU officials and to visit UASU office at MURBS building 2nd floor and website
(https://uasumaseno.or.ke).
Thank you.
K’Otuto George
Chapter Chairman