Hackney parking attendants say they will ballot for strikes
T&G
17 Jan 2006
A meeting of parking attendants in the London Borough of Hackney, who work for contractor CPS, last night agreed to call for a formal strike action ballot and to challenge the company over its 'derecognition' of their trade union.
The Hackney parking attendants, who are all members of the Transport and General Workers Union, told union officers they were unhappy with an imposed bonus scheme on car clamping, which they said was unrealistic, as well as a poor pay rise which was being imposed and changes to rotas involving late night working with no safety assessment being made. Paul Fawcett, T&G regional industrial organiser and spokesman for the sixty plus parking attendants, said it was an emotional meeting with some people in tears at the treatment they were receiving from the company.
"Instead of engaging positively and talking through issues, CPS has just acted like a playground bully," said Mr. Fawcett. "Unrealistic targets on car clamping, which will only antagonise Hackney drivers and add to the pressure on the parking attendants, are simply being imposed. Late night rotas, including working up to 11.00pm, are being brought in with no apparent assessment being made as to our people's safety."
Mr. Fawcett said CPS had also taken the surprising step of withdrawing the recognition of the T&G as the union representing the parking attendants and tried to control who attended last night's meeting by organising a staff meeting around the same time. He said these aggressive tactics showed a real lack of respect for people who do one of the hardest jobs in the public sector for low pay and little praise.
"We will be challenging the company's moves through the legal channels on trade union recognition," added Mr. Fawcett. "Far from averting industrial action, the company's attitude has brought it several steps nearer."
Pay talks began in November but hit an immediate barrier when CPS sought to impose a bonus scheme before discussing basic pay. The union said it was prepared to discuss bonus schemes but that it was logical and reasonable to look at the basic pay packages first. No progress was made and the company walked out of the talks process just before Christmas.
Last week the T&G revealed that a union shop steward was under investigation following an incident when he was defending a colleague. "We now fear for the jobs of our stewards," added Mr. Fawcett. He also highlighted attempts by the company to prevent the union organising following an instruction to the effect that any union meeting must take place outside of working hours and away from any work premises.
17 Jan 2006
A meeting of parking attendants in the London Borough of Hackney, who work for contractor CPS, last night agreed to call for a formal strike action ballot and to challenge the company over its 'derecognition' of their trade union.
The Hackney parking attendants, who are all members of the Transport and General Workers Union, told union officers they were unhappy with an imposed bonus scheme on car clamping, which they said was unrealistic, as well as a poor pay rise which was being imposed and changes to rotas involving late night working with no safety assessment being made. Paul Fawcett, T&G regional industrial organiser and spokesman for the sixty plus parking attendants, said it was an emotional meeting with some people in tears at the treatment they were receiving from the company.
"Instead of engaging positively and talking through issues, CPS has just acted like a playground bully," said Mr. Fawcett. "Unrealistic targets on car clamping, which will only antagonise Hackney drivers and add to the pressure on the parking attendants, are simply being imposed. Late night rotas, including working up to 11.00pm, are being brought in with no apparent assessment being made as to our people's safety."
Mr. Fawcett said CPS had also taken the surprising step of withdrawing the recognition of the T&G as the union representing the parking attendants and tried to control who attended last night's meeting by organising a staff meeting around the same time. He said these aggressive tactics showed a real lack of respect for people who do one of the hardest jobs in the public sector for low pay and little praise.
"We will be challenging the company's moves through the legal channels on trade union recognition," added Mr. Fawcett. "Far from averting industrial action, the company's attitude has brought it several steps nearer."
Pay talks began in November but hit an immediate barrier when CPS sought to impose a bonus scheme before discussing basic pay. The union said it was prepared to discuss bonus schemes but that it was logical and reasonable to look at the basic pay packages first. No progress was made and the company walked out of the talks process just before Christmas.
Last week the T&G revealed that a union shop steward was under investigation following an incident when he was defending a colleague. "We now fear for the jobs of our stewards," added Mr. Fawcett. He also highlighted attempts by the company to prevent the union organising following an instruction to the effect that any union meeting must take place outside of working hours and away from any work premises.
posted by Neil Herron at 1:41 PM
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