Ealing Parking Attendant Strike Seems Likely to Continue

No resolution in sight in dispute over union recognition

Striking parking attendants stand together outside Ealing Council

September 11, 2024

Parking attendants in Ealing Borough have been taking daily industrial action for two weeks due to disagreements over which trade union should represent the workers.

The strike began on 27 August and was originally scheduled to end on 18 September. The strike is now planned to last until Sunday, 6 October, with further action expected if no agreement is reached.

The council’s contractor says that enforcement is continuing in the borough due to staff rotating the days they are on strike but residents say that they have seen little evidence of Penalty Charge Notices being issued for vehicles parked illegally on their streets.

The Parking Attendant were previously employed by Serco, but earlier this year the council took control of their employment. For the previous ten years under different employers, Unite the Union has represented this group of Ealing Council workers.

Unite members expected this to continue once their employment had been transferred. However, despite previously being involved in discussions about the transfer of service, Greener Ealing (a company owned by Ealing Council), are refusing to recognise Unite as the trade union representing the parking attendants.

Unite the Union says in January 2024, prior to the transfer of employment, members had submitted a pay claim, however Ealing Council advised against pay negotiations. It claimed that Greener Ealing would do this once it had taken over.

However, once the transfer of services had begun three months later, Greener Ealing notified Unite members that it would not negotiate pay claims with the union, and would not transfer recognition of the Union as part of the measures. Instead, Greener Ealing has negotiated a pay claim with the union GMB, who it wishs to recognise instead.

A spokesperson for Unite the Union said, “Greener Ealing and the local authority were not open and transparent about their intentions regarding negotiations or de-recognition and it is shocking that a Labour authority has allowed a trade union to be de-recognised as a result of a TUPE transfer.”

Greener Ealing predominantly employs waste management, recycling and cleaning staff. On the picket line, parking attendants feel their jobs are too different from other employees at Greener Ealing, and therefore require different representation.

Victor, 64, and Hamid, 60, both taking part in the industrial action, explained why they wanted to be represented by Unite.

Victor said, “We’re different to the other workers.” Hamid added, “I don’t think GMB can represent us. We are separate entities. That’s the problem.”

Victor, 64, and Hamid, 60, standing outside Ealing Council

Ealing Council said, “The council’s previous statement remains the same and will be closely monitored. The Civil Enforcement Officers are employed by Greener Ealing and not directly by the council. “This would be a matter for Greener Ealing Limited. The workforce that are on strike are employed by Greener Ealing and not Ealing Council”

A spokesperson for Greener Ealing said, “GEL has a recognition agreement with the GMB. We have explained repeatedly to the Unite representatives that we will not recognise them for collective bargaining purposes.

“We have now reached an agreement on pay and conditions with the GMB for the entire workforce. Parking staff are also benefiting from a range of improved terms and conditions

“The strike itself has had minimal impact with a small number of parking staff taking part each day. The service is operating well and meeting the council’s priorities.”

Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter