GMB Union members working in the South East London borough voted unanimously in favour of taking industrial action after 97 per cent of them rejected parking company APCOA’s hourly 50p increase.
Turnout for the strike vote was 72 per cent.
Union members indicated their intention to strike last month after they were offered an increased hourly wage of £12.71, 50p more than their current wage of £12.21 per hour.
This hourly rate was criticised for still falling short of the current London Living Wage of £13.85 per hour.
Traffic wardens working in Bromley were critical of their employer for both the pay offer and APCOA’s reaction to news of a potential strike.
One claimed: “Management keeps trying to divide us and have even said they’ll bring workers in from other contracts if we take action. That just makes us more determined to stick together.”
Another wasn’t happy that the pay offer wasn’t backdated. They said: “They’ve refused to backdate the offer to April like they always have before. That means our so-called pay rise is basically coming out of our own pockets.”
Other officers said they “just want fair pay and respect for the job we do” as they face “bad weather, short staffing and constant public pressure” in their line of work.
The GMB Union said it will give notice of industrial action unless APCOA and Bromley Council, which outsources its parking enforcement services to APCOA, table a “meaningful, backdated pay offer”.
GMB Regional Organiser Craig Prickett said: “Our members have spoken with absolute clarity. The sheer strength of the result shows the depth of frustration among staff who say APCOA has failed to put forward a meaningful pay offer that properly reflects their hard work and the increasing cost of living.
“We’re calling on APCOA and Bromley Council to return to the table with a fair pay deal, backdated to April, as has been agreed in previous years. GMB members are stronger than ever and will not hesitate to act to secure the respect and fair pay they deserve. Unless significant progress is made, GMB will move to confirm strike dates in the coming days.”
In response to the proposed strike action, APCOA said: “We are disappointed that our latest pay offer has been rejected and that the GMB is choosing to advocate strike action in Bromley when there is still scope for negotiations to continue.
“We believe our offer was a fair one. We remain open to continued constructive discussions to reach a resolution and avoid any action.”
A Bromley Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of ongoing discussions and whilst we are hopeful for a positive outcome, it would not be appropriate for the council to comment given the discussions are between the employer and employee representatives and not the council.”
