Traffic wardens vote to stage 14-day strike

Unite union said an upcoming strike would "shut down parking enforcement" in Slough

Traffic wardens and staff monitoring road CCTV will stage a strike meaning a town could have no parking enforcement for two weeks, a union has said.

More than 30 workers at Saba Park Services in Slough, Berkshire, will walk out from 26 February to 10 March in a dispute over pay.

Unite said the industrial action would leave Slough Borough Council without parking attendants, back office support, CCTV monitoring or enforcement in bus lanes.

The council said it would provide enforcement cover for "as much of the borough as possible". Saba said it was "keen to avert industrial action and remain open to further dialogue to find a viable solution".

Saba has managed a contract to provide car parking services for the council since 2018.

The firm said Unite were asking for a more than 24% pay rise for its members, and that it had already paid 14% of the demand.

But Unite said staff at Saba were being paid less than the market rate.

Parking attendants enforce parking restrictions such as double yellow lines

The union said double yellow lines, resident parking zones and pay and displays would not be monitored during the strike.

"Unite's members at Saba Park Services play a critical role in keeping Slough’s roads functioning," said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

"They fully deserve to be paid the market rate for their roles."

She said workers employed by Saba would "receive our continued and complete support".

Unite regional officer Richard White said the action would "shut down parking enforcement in Slough", and that it was a dispute of Saba and the council's "own making".

"Instead of pointing the finger of blame at each other, they should be working together to table a fair pay offer," he said.

A spokesperson for Slough Borough Council said: "Our team will be putting in enforcement cover for as much of the borough as possible, including all back-office support, security for car parks, cash collection, CCTV monitoring and bus lane enforcement."