Free parking for Hackney residents?

Hackney parking wardens to strike over pay and safety

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Hackney residents could have free parking in the borough when 40 parking wardens go on a week-long strike next month in a dispute over pay and their personal safety.

 

Unite said today (January 24) that its civil enforcement officer (CEO) members, employed by Apcoa Parking (UK) Ltd which runs the contract on behalf of Hackney council, will strike on from just past midnight on Monday, February 10 until 23.59pm on Sunday, February 16. They voted by 81 per cent for strike action.

 

A key issue is a claim for an increase to £15 an hour for the year starting in April 2020 – the parking wardens are paid the London living wage, currently £10.75 per hour.

 

Unite is also concerned about safety of its members who have been attacked by irate motorists when doing their job in all-weathers.

 

Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said, “We have had cases where our members are going out on the same rounds where they have previously been assaulted.

 

“As a consequence of this and to make this demanding  job more attractive, we are calling for pay and conditions to be harmonised with those workers employed by Hackney council when it comes to annual leave, sick pay and unsocial hours payments. We want our members taken back in-house by the council.

 

“Free parking beckons for Hackney residents during the strike days with the adverse impact that this will have on the council’s finances as revenues from parking tickets dry up.

 

“However, there is still time for the management of Apcoa Parking to come back to the negotiating table to hammer out a fair settlement for these dedicated workers out in all weathers who also face the ever-present danger of being physically attacked for just doing their job.”

 

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