The Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has called off a strike notice that they had issued to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH)
The strike that would have disrupted healthcare services at the referral facility has been averted following the signing of the hospital’s first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The over 800 nurses working at the KUTRH will benefit from increased remuneration, career progression and better working conditions.
“The two parties will also develop a Locum Policy through a participatory process to guide the engagement and payment of nurses undertaking additional duties,” Panyako said.
Among the negotiated gains are an increase in the nursing service allowance from Sh20,000 to Sh30,000, uniform allowance from Sh10,000 to Sh25,000 and health risk allowance from Sh3,850 to Sh5,000.
He added that the union and hospital management would jointly assess staff workloads and existing skills gaps before advertising available and specialised positions internally.
KUTRRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Zeinab Gura said the CBA, which was approved by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), marked the beginning of meaningful engagement between the hospital’s management and its workforce.
“The agreement marks an important step in strengthening engagement between hospital management and its workforce, while ensuring continuity of healthcare services and maintaining a conducive working environment for staff,” she said.
The agreement is the First ever CBA between nurses and the management of the hospital.
