Parking attendants in Brighton and Hove have announced they will be striking over the next three weekends in a dispute over pay – but this may not mean free parking.
The GMB union said on Friday its members were intending to strike if NSL, which manages parking enforcement for Brighton and Hove City Council, didn’t improve its pay offer to 4%.
This afternoon, after receiving no response from the company, the union said it was setting six dates, starting this Saturday and Sunday, then Friday, 11 and Saturday 12 and then Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December- and says more dates will follow after 26 December.
But NSL says it is making contingency plans to ensure parking rules are followed – and the council says it’s confident there will be enough enforcement to ensure traffic and public transport flows freely.
Anne Chandler, GMB Regional Officer, said “We conveyed the unanimous vote for strike action to the employer last week from these lower paid parking attendants.
“We are surprised to have had no response or an offer of more talks.
“We regret that this lack of any response leaves us with no alternative but to give notice of these six dates for strike action with more to follow until we get a decent offer for these members.”
An NSL spokesperson said: “We are surprised and disappointed with this news since we have offered a fair, generous, and above-inflation pay deal.
“However, contingency plans are in place to ensure that Brighton and Hove’s parking rules are enforced and that there is minimal disruption to our client, local businesses and residents.”
A council spokesperson said: “In the event of any industrial action we are confident that an adequate service will be in place to make sure parking is enforced and traffic and public transport can flow freely.”
Great News… Will help the Xmas shoppers no end…..