The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Monday registered its first Collective Bargaining Agreement with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret before Lady Justice Stella of Employment and Labor Relations Court, Nairobi.
In a statement, Chief Executive Officer Kenya Union of Clinical Officers George Gibore said that the CBA has now established six (6) grades for registered Clinical Officers (Diploma Holders) and four (4) grades for Clinical Officers (Degree Holders) ranging from MTRH 10 to MTRH 5 and established the Directorate of Clinical Medicine as approved by the Public Service Commission which is a milestone achievement to the fraternity.
He said, with the effective date of the CBA agreed to be 1st July 2022, Clinical Officers will receive an enhanced basic salary per job group.
“The following allowances have also been graduated upwards; House, Risk, Leave, Commuter, Health Workers Service, Emergency Call, and Extraneous allowances and approved by the Salaries and the Remuneration Commission.” stated Gibore in the statement.
Adding that: “The actual practice of collective bargaining has become dysfunctional, characterised by prolonged and protracted negotiation processes owing to the SRC involvement in the process and the social, political and economic environment during the negotiations process.”
The process which commenced on 16th June, 2021 was concluded on 30th September, 2022 when the final CBA document was signed by the parties.
He thanked the management of MTRH under the leadership of Dr. Wilson Aruasa for giving social dialogue a sounding meaning within the negotiation concept, and for according us the highest cooperation, guidance, and a conducive environment throughout the negotiations period and after.
KUCO also urged the National, County Governments, and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to emulate this good gesture by embracing social dialogue that will address most issues affecting Human Resource for Health (HRH) and the health system at large.
KUCO pledged to continue embracing and emphasised the primacy of collective bargaining in setting harmonious working conditions as they continue to advocate for Clinical Officers’ Rights and the promotion of quality health for all.
By Fred Odanga.