The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a new seven-day strike notice after disagreeing with the government on the implementation of the return-to-work formula.

Speaking during a press briefing that followed a National Executive Committee meeting, UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga announced the strike, citing unresolved issues related to salaries and working conditions

“The union is not going to accept the reduction of our members’ salaries going forward. The union shall call out all its members to protest. Take notice that the union shall not condone any delays in the release of salaries to public universities in future and shall take action to force compliance in line with the provisions of the law” the union said.

Wasonga also stated that the strike notice had been activated immediately, warning that public universities could experience significant disruptions starting next month.

“Expecting lecturers to work at full capacity while paying them only 65 per cent of their salary is simply unacceptable,” Wasonga said.

He expressed concern over the financial difficulties faced by UASU members, citing the Technical University of Kenya as an example where only 65% of July salaries were paid.

The UASU has expressed concern over the delay in pensions for retired academic staff, leading to poverty and poor health. The failure to remit NHIF contributions has worsened the situation, resulting in an increase in mortality and suffering among university workers.

The union has vowed for full-scale mobilization if the government does not take immediate action to resolve the issue, and is urging for immediate action to address the issue.