Protesting council pay cuts, the Southampton parking wardens have started a strike of seven days. Up to 40 maintenance engineers, cash collectors and traffic wardens took action over the cuts that included a three year pay freeze. This follows last week’s industrial action taken by refuse workers.
The Southampton City Council which is conservative led has said that the pay cuts were to avoid additional jobs losses and that drivers would still have to pay for parking. Unison, the public sector union said the workers were facing a 4.5% wage reduction, a three year pay freeze and additionally the loss for two years of the annual pay progression.
A deputy council leader had stressed that the council had to protect jobs and services all the while trying to tackle a £65m shortfall over the next four years. By changing the working conditions and terms over 400 jobs will be saved.
Many may not agree the councilor said buy it is better if the people can keep their jobs than lose them and stated that even though a strike was in force, a reduced enforcement services for ticketing was operating. Adding that if people take a chance there is a chance they will get caught and pay a fine.
