UASU Threatens Strike Over Moi University Plan to Lay Off 75 Lecturers
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The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has rejected Moi University’s decision to declare 75 lecturers redundant and warned that it could call a strike if the university does not withdraw the redundancy notices.
UASU accused the university management of unfairly targeting academic staff, including senior staff, lecturers and professors, saying the move could undermine teaching and research at the institution.
The warning comes just days after first-year students reported to the university on Thursday, August 20, raising fears of another disruption to learning at the institution.
According to UASU, the redundancy notices affect 75 employees and should be revoked immediately to allow the union and the university administration to engage in dialogue.
UASU Warns On Strike
UASU said it would not accept the planned layoffs and warned that it could take industrial action if the university fails to resolve the matter.
The dispute comes as Moi University continues to face financial challenges that have strained relations between management and staff.
The institution has previously faced protests over salary arrears, pension contributions, medical cover and the implementation of agreements signed with workers.
UASU officials argued that the university should prioritise negotiations and consultations instead of reducing its workforce. They warned that losing lecturers could affect students’ learning.
Also Read: Hundreds of Moi University Workers Stare at Job Losses as Mass Layoffs Loom
Concerns Among Students
The latest matter has also raised concerns among students, with reports indicating that some have expressed support for the lecturers as uncertainty grows over the reopening of academic programmes should a strike be called.
Moi University management had not publicly announced a reversal of the redundancy notices at the time of the union’s warning, leaving the dispute unresolved as pressure mounts for both parties to engage in negotiations.
Also Read: Moi University Breaks Silence on Insolvency Reports Ahead of School Reopening
UASU Moi University Chapter Secretary-General Robert Oduori questioned how the university could justify laying off permanent academic staff while recruiting part-time lecturers, arguing that the move undermines claims that financial constraints are driving the redundancies.
“We register our strongest displeasure and total rejection of the decision by the university’s acting management to declare 75 of our members redundant while simultaneously advertising for part-time lecturers to fill the same positions,” Oduori said.
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Lecturers asking the redundancy to be stopped
PHOTO/NMG
