Traffic wardens to strike over 50p pay rise offer

Parking enforcement officers in a south-east London borough have voted to strike after rejecting a pay increase of 50p an hour.

GMB union members working in Bromley voted unanimously in favour of taking industrial action after 97% of them rejected parking company APCOA's offer.

Traffic wardens in Bromley are paid £12.21 an hour, less than the London Living Wage of £13.85 per hour.

APOCA's offer would have seen their pay rise to £12.71 an hour.

The GMB union said it would give notice of industrial action unless APCOA and Bromley Council, which outsources its parking enforcement services to APCOA, table a "meaningful, backdated pay offer".

Traffic wardens were critical of their employer for both the pay offer and APCOA's reaction to news of a potential strike.

One told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Management keeps trying to divide us and have even said they'll bring workers in from other contracts if we take action.

"That just makes us more determined to stick together."

Bromley Council said the negotiations are not a matter for them

Another complained the pay offer wasn't backdated: "That means our so-called pay rise is basically coming out of our own pockets."

APCOA said it was "disappointed" the pay offer was rejected.

"We believe our offer was a fair one. We remain open to continued constructive discussions to reach a resolution and avoid any action."

GMB regional organiser Craig Prickett said members "would not hesitate to act to secure the respect and fair pay they deserve.

"Unless significant progress is made, GMB will move to confirm strike dates in the coming days."

A Bromley Council spokesperson said it is "hopeful" for a positive outcome but said the discussions were between the employer and employee representatives and not the council.