Serco civil enforcement officers set to strike during Mayoral elections
Serco employees protesting outside Ealing Town Hall last year. Picture: Helen Pattison
Civil enforcement officers employed by Serco on behalf of Ealing Council are holding a three day strike which will coincide with the Mayoral election and local by-elections.
The industrial action is taking place from 5-7 May and the votes for London Mayor, the London Assembly and vacant Ealing Council seats takes place on 6 May. On the same day a strike by tube drivers on the Central line is also planned.
Unite the Union says there will be ‘election day parking chaos’ as the Serco employees are responsible for handing out Penalty Charge Notices for parking violations.
They are withdrawing their labour after the company offered severance to elected Unite representatives and activists in what is claimed to be an attempt to undermine trade union organisation.
The union claims Serco instituted a redundancy programme in 2019 with minimal consultation and that it is refusing to negotiate a new absence management policy for employees working on the Ealing contract. Unite believes the present policy is being used to unfairly dismiss employees and should be renegotiated.
The civil enforcement officers will take part in two 72-hour strikes, with the second beginning on 12 May and ending on 14 May.
Unite regional officer Clare Keogh said, “Serco is drinking in the last chance salon. If they do not engage fully and meaningfully with Unite over these issues, our members will begin strike action.
“Our members do not want to strike. But Serco’s attempts to undermine collective bargaining through the targeting of individual staff and the misuse of the absence policy has left them with no choice.
“The strikes, along with the resultant election day parking chaos, can still be avoided if Serco climbs down from its position and engages in good faith to resolve these issues. We call on Ealing Council to intervene to make sure this happens.”
Serco and Ealing Council have been asked for comment.
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April 30, 2021
