Serco Deny Employing Agency Staff To Bust Strike
No workers have been drafted in to enforce parking in Ealing borough
'Parking free for all' may not be happening in Ealing borough
Serco have denied claims by Unite that agency workers have been drafted in to enforce parking restrictions in Ealing borough during the ongoing strike by civil enforcement officers.
This means that there will be no enforcement of parking restrictions in the boroughfor the duration of the industrial action which is scheduled to last two weeks.
The wardens, employed by Serco, began their strike with a rally attended by Labour MP Virendra Sharma outside Ealing Town Hall on Wednesday 30 June.
The industrial action is being taken over offers of severance to union member parking wardens, and Serco’s refusal to negotiate a new absence policy, Unite says.
“Some progress” has been made in talks with Serco, a union spokesperson said this week, but “there are still outstanding issues”.
“Some policy changes are still needed. Until that, strikes continue.”
Ealing Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the dispute is between Serco and its workers.
Peter Mason, the leader of Ealing Council, said, “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.”
Unite regional officer Clare Keogh said at the beginning of the strike, “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.”
A Serco spokesperson said this Wednesday (7 July), “We are disappointed by Unite’s decision to continue with strike action despite agreeing to mediation talks with ACAS.
“It is not correct to claim agency workers have been brought in to cover for striking workers.
“All Serco’s employees are covered by the same sickness procedures and policies to ensure consistency and fair treatment across the business.”
Josh Mellor - Local Democracy Reporter
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July 7, 2021