Outsourced traffic wardens belonging to the GMB trade union have begun further strike action in Bromley.
The workers employed by a Bromley Council contractor, APCOA, have been on strike since Tuesday, and plan to proceed with industrial action until this Friday as part of a continuing dispute over pay.
The union members had voted to back industrial action in November last year, with strikes beginning late that month.
Following the four days of strike action this month, the outsourced workers will have completed ten days of industrial action altogether.
However, the council has maintained that 'the borough’s streets will continue to be patrolled by other members of the APCOA team.’
Following the December announcement of this month’s strikes, Craig Prickett, GMB Regional Organiser, said: 'Bromley Council cannot keep hiding behind outsourcing arrangements. These workers are enforcing the council's parking policies, generating significant revenue on their behalf, yet they are being paid poverty wages.
'Between APCOA and Bromley Council, this dispute could be resolved at any time. They know exactly what it would take to settle.’
A spokesperson for Bromley Council explained that ‘it would not be appropriate for the council to comment given the discussions are between the employer and employee representatives and not the council’ but explained said it ‘remain[s] hopeful of a resolution’.
APCOA said: ‘We are disappointed that our latest pay offer has been rejected and that the GMB is choosing to advocate strike action in Bromley.
‘We believe that our offer of 9.3% now with a further 10.9 % in November is a fair one and is significantly above any pay index. We remain open to continued, constructive discussions to reach a resolution.’
