No enforcement in Ealing Borough for two weeks
Virendra Sharma MP with striking parking attendants outside Ealing Town Hall
The strike by parking attendants employed by Serco in Ealing borough is proceeding despite what the union describes as ‘some progress’ at recent talks at Acas.
A rally was held outside Ealing Town Hall on Wednesday 30 June on the day the talks began and MPs Virendra Sharma and Rupa Huq turned up to show their support.
Since 5 May, more than 40 civil enforcement officers have taken intermittent strike action over Serco’s offer of severance to elected Unite representatives and activists, who Unite claim have been deliberately targeted to undermine trade union organisation and collective consultation.
The fresh strikes mean that there will be no parking enforcement in Ealing Borough between 30 June and 14 July.
The dispute is also over Serco refusal 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.
Unite regional officer Clare Keogh said: “The parking free for all in Ealing over the next two weeks is entirely Serco’s fault. It is to be hoped that during the Acas talks, Serco will table proposals that our members can agree to and this dispute can be brought to a close.
“As a Labour council, Ealing council should be condemning Serco’s union-busting tactics and pressuring them to stop. If Serco refuse, then the council should follow Labour policy and bring the civil enforcement contract back in-house.”
Councillor Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council said earlier, “Ensuring workers are treated fairly remains a commitment for the council. We hope this can be resolved amicably via ACAS and are monitoring closely while working to secure a resolution on this issue as a matter of priority.
“I look forward to meeting civil enforcement officers soon to understand more the impact of COVID, lockdown and industrial action has had on them.”
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July 1, 2021
