Wiltshire parking restrictions still apply despite industrial action
Parking wardens are walking out over a controversial Council plan
Last updated 31st Oct 2023
We’re being reminded that parking restrictions and car parking charges still apply across Wiltshire on Saturday 4th November.
That's despite industrial action due to take place by Parking Enforcement Officers.
But we’re being told that all restrictions remain in place, with the possibility of penalty charge notices being issued.
Wiltshire Council’s say they need to change its current unsocial, standby and callout policies to ‘ensure policies are standardised, fit for purpose, financially viable and support the delivery of its Business Plan, while ensuring staff are fairly and appropriately rewarded.’
The Council has been consulting with the UNISON, Unite the Union and GMB since August 2022, where they’ve put forward amended proposals, including an offer of four year’s pay protection for affected staff members.
While UNISON and Unite the Union members mandated an agreement to the changes, GMB members rejected the offer, and they’ve been in dispute resolution talks ever since.
Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council, said:
"While the strike is being held on 4th November, car park users should continue to pay for parking as normal, as all charges and restrictions remain in place and we will have staff monitoring the sites.
"We recognise the rights of GMB members to strike at this time, but do not feel that this action will help to move us forward to a resolution to this matter.
"For the sake of the wellbeing of our staff, and our need to ensure our policies are fit for purpose, we have also been clear that this matter cannot remain unresolved indefinitely. The existing terms and conditions are not financially sustainable in their current form.
"Throughout this process we have strictly adhered to employment law and always will. We have been seeking to reach collective agreement, but to date the unions have not provided any alternative feasible proposals, although Unison and Unite did get a mandate to agree to the proposed changes.
"It's important to note there will be no immediate dismissal and offer of re-engagement (also called 'fire and re-hire') despite the unions stating that this will be the approach. Our absolute preference remains to reach collective agreement but if this is not possible then we will seek to reach agreement with staff on an individual basis. We remain open to alternative proposals from the unions that meet our business objectives. We have been speaking to affected staff to provide them with all the information they need, and will continue to do so.
"It is in everyone's best interests that this is resolved as quickly and fairly as possible and we'll continue to work hard to achieve this.”