Nairobi County workers have vowed to continue striking until their demands are met.

The striking workers engaged police in running battles Friday, after pouring into the streets to protest against unimplemented 2012 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

In the CBA, the city workers hoped to get a 15%-28% salary increment.

Strike to persist

Governor Mike Sonko had earlier promised to address the matter, but the workers’ union treasurer Francis Gachukia insisted the strike would persist until the pay deal was effected.

“We are not ready to negotiate a fresh CBA,” said Mr Gachukia.

Sonko blames SRC

Mr Sonko apportioned blame on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission for turning down the CBA reached between the county and its 13,000 workers.

He said his administration was willing and ready to pay the workers but its hands were tied by the commission.

“When we get confirmation (from SRC) and receive the money then we will pay the workers because they are all entitled to a better life. They should, however, resume work and stop inconveniencing members of the public,” said Sonko.

Would take none of it

Despite his efforts to convince the workers back to work, the city governor hit a brick wall.

The workers denied that SRC was to blame in any way.

Monday, Kenya County Government Workers’ Union Secretary General Roba Duba said the CBA had been registered at the Industrial Court and that all that remained was its implementation.

“This is money we had agreed and registered with our employer, who is currently Governor Mike Sonko’s administration and it has nothing to do with SRC. We negotiated with the county government,” said Duba.