Kaimosi Friends University has successfully negotiated and finalized its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), marking a significant milestone in the institution's commitment to staff welfare. The university management and the officials of Kenya University Union (KUSU) representatives expressed their satisfaction with the progress and the collaborative efforts involved.
The signing ceremony was graced by Dr. Fauzia Karama, a member of the University Council, acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mwita, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administration, Finance, and Development (DVC AF&D) Prof. Thomas Kipkurgat, and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs (ASAR), Prof. Julius Kipkemboi, who represented KAFU's management.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mwita highlighted the importance of supporting staff welfare, noting that the CBA represents a major achievement.
"We give priority to our staff members, and today's CBA signing is a testament to our dedication to the well-being of our staff members, we know expectations from our staff are high and I assure you that we will implement the CBA," said Prof. Mwita.
The KUSU union led by Dr. Charles Mukhwaya also emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in the implementation process, acknowledging the support of the university council throughout the negotiations.
"We appreciate the council's backing and the opportunity to negotiate the CBA. The process has been smooth, and we are confident that its full implementation will benefit both staff and the university as a whole," said the representative.
The CBA negotiations were facilitated by a dedicated committee, and the finalization of the document was praised for its efficiency. "The committee did a commendable job in ensuring the document was ready for approval, and we salute their hard work," said the union representative.
In addition to the CBA, the management also tabled a proposal for the payment of gratuity to staff who have been employed on a contract basis. The proposal, which will be presented to the university council for approval, outlines a payment plan based on a ratio of 2:2:1, which was agreed upon by both the management and the union.
KUSU negotiator Dr. Charles Mukhwaya said that the signing of the CBA was a win-win situation after lengthy but fruitful negotiations with the management. He thanked the administration for allocating resources to promote staff welfare by signing the new CBA and appealed to them to fast track future CBA’s.
"Social dialogue is key to preventing and resolving disputes, and the concurrence between management and the union in this matter has been crucial, we are pleased to have reached an agreement and look forward to the successful implementation of the CBA," said the Federation of Kenya Employer Mr. Thomas Achok.
Both parties emphasized the importance of mutual respect and trust in their relationship moving forward. The management also expressed expectations for increased productivity and effort from all staff members.
"We believe this agreement will motivate our staff to work even harder and contribute to the continued success of the university," said the Prof. Mwita.
The university's swift completion of the CBA negotiations has positioned Kaimosi Friends University as one of the few institutions to achieve such a milestone in record time. The management and union both expressed confidence in the positive impact the agreement will have on the university community.