Unite press release

For immediate release: Tuesday 7 March 2023

Parking enforcement officers in Hounslow embark on indefinite strike action

Workers up the ante following month long strike.

The toxic combination of stubborn employers, poor pay and the cost of living crisis forces workers to take all-out strike action.

Parking Enforcement Officers across Hounslow are taking indefinite strike action in their battle for fair pay as Unite warns the council that it will not starve these workers back to work.

The workers took two weeks of strike action in January and a further month of strike action from Monday 6 February until 5 March. 

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Parking enforcement officers in Hounslow are absolutely determined to fight for an end to poor pay. They are now upping the ante with an indefinite strike.

“It’s a clear message to the council that it will not starve these workers back to work. Bosses need to realise the workers have Unite’s total support.”

Hounslow Borough Council stands isolated after Ealing and Brent councils boosted their workers’ pay following strike action (see notes). The workers are directly employed by Serco which manages the contract for the London borough. The giant outsourcing company’s latest profits were £303.9 million. Together Hounslow council and Serco need to reach an agreement with Unite.

Unite acting national officer, Clare Keogh said: “Hounslow council’s intransigence has now caused an indefinite strike. The workers are not prepared to give up. Council leaders know full well a deal is possible. It’s time to negotiate an end this dispute.”

ENDS

Notes: The civil enforcement officers and CCTV operators in Ealing got a 9% pay increase back dated to April 2022 or 11.94% for new starters on lower rates of pay. The workers will get a further 8% pay increase from April this year (2023). Workers also secured extra annual leave entitlement.  

In Brent, workers will get a total pay rise of 10.7% backdated to April 2022 and a further 9% from April this year. Workers in Hounslow are still only receiving the London living wage rate.

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315  

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org

 

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.