Unite has secured an 18% pay rise for Hounslow traffic wardens after a showdown with outsourcing giant Serco effectively left public parking indefinitely free of charge.
The union celebrated after winning a £4,000 pay rise for enforcement officers, with wages rising from £24,420.50 to £28,730 by November 2023.
Cllr Salman Shaheen, Hounslow cabinet member for parking, parks and leisure, said: 'Whilst the dispute was between Serco and Unite, we met a number of times with both parties to enable an equitable resolution.
'We understand that many workers are struggling in the cost of living crisis, so we are pleased that Serco has negotiated a pay rise with Unite that will help Hounslow's parking attendants receive greater security in the tough times we face.'
The deal was struck after civil enforcement officers and CCTV operators took two weeks of strike action in January and a further month of strike action from Monday 6 February until 5 March, followed by indefinite strike action.
The workforce has now voted to accept the 18-month pay deal worth almost 18%.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: 'This is a cracking pay deal for the parking officers in Hounslow. The workers’ rock-solid determination has paid off. It’s more proof that Unite is fighting for better jobs, pay and conditions and winning.'
Unite negotiated an additional 8% backdated to April 2022 (on top of 1.7% already awarded). Followed by a further 7% uplift from April 2023 and a further minimum 2% uplift from October 2023.
Unite acting national officer, Clare Keogh said: 'The workers were not prepared to give up. Their determination has paid off. For our part, Unite was ready and willing to thrash out a deal from the very start. It’s a shame Serco took so long to reach a deal.
'This is a lesson to other outsourced employers up and down the country. Unite is absolutely determined to ensure our members in local authorities get a fair deal.'
Serco recently announced profits of £303.9m but offered parking workers only a 20p an hour payrise or nothing for workers on the real living wage.
The company was unavailable for comment.
