Ealing parking staff to stage 24-hour strike

More than 50 civil enforcement officers (CEOs) in Ealing are to go on a 24-hour strike on Thursday in a dispute over pay. Trade union Unite, which represents the CEOs, has rejected the 1.5% pay offer made by the London borough’s parking contractor NSL.

The walk-out of 52 CEOs could lead to the potential loss of revenue of up to about £25,000, claims Unite. It estimates that about 250 penalty charge notices (PCNs) are issued in the borough every day at a cost of £110, or £55 if paid within 14 days.

Unite regional officer Michelle Braveboy said: “NSL Limited (Ealing) is not known as a good employer – we had a similar dispute with the company over civil enforcement officer pay last year. It has offered 1.5% for 2014/15, which is well below the retail price index, currently running at 2.5%.”

NSL head of communications Belinda Webb played down the impact industrial action would have. She said: “This year’s pay offer to our valued colleagues in Ealing is appropriate and fair. We don’t expect all colleagues to be on strike on Thursday, as not all are Unite members.

“However, we do have adequate cover in place, drawn from within NSL, to ensure safe and fair parking and to minimise road congestion throughout the borough.”

Ealing Council warned motorists not to ignore parking restrictions. A spokesman said: “Although we’re disappointed to hear that industrial action is taking place, our contractor has assured us that it will maintain an effective service on the strike day of Thursday, 11 September. As usual we would advise drivers to comply with parking regulations or they could face a penalty charge notice.”

Industrial action involving CEOs in Ealing was narrowly averted last October, when a previously rejected 1.5% pay offer for 2013/14 was increased to 2% and backdated to April 2013 for basic and overtime rates.