The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) today registered what may pass as a pyrrhic victory against Nation Media Group after the court forced the media house to delay the planned sacking of its employees. Insiders say had NMG planned to release the list of those to be fired today, but the Industrial Court threw the spanner in the works when it asked the media house to hold on until it makes submissions in a case filed by KUJ against the layoffs.
The union went to court last Wednesday seeking to block the restructuring, announced by Nation CEO Joe Muganda just before Christmas last year, promising that a good number of employees, including journalists, would be sent home.
According to reports, NMG has earmarked 25 journalists for the chop, eight of them KUJ members. KUJ’s court case seeks to secure its members a better send-off package since there is another case in court over a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) seeking higher pay for unionisable employees backdated to April last year.
The case was to be heard today but Nation Media Group’s law firm, Agula Advocates, asked for four days Nation lawyer asked for four days to make submissions. Linet Ndolo then directed NMG to suspend the layoff until the submission is made on Monday next week for her to give direction.
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Lady justice Ndolo stated that compensation must be made based on a new CBA on which she will give directions after the media house makes its submissions. While the case only affects unionisable members, Nation Media Group appears to have decided to delay the entire restructuring exercise until the judge gives direction on the matter.
KUJ is pushing for a 50% pay increase for its members for the last two years to April this year.
This may have offered temporary relief to those targeted, even as anxiety continues to rise every passing day among Nation staff, but NMG is determined to execute it this month as promised in late December. “We aren’t working,” said a journalist who works at Nation Centre. “The tension is just too much. Everyone is worried.”
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