Week long Wiltshire traffic warden strike suspended
Talks took place today (Wednesday 29th June)
Last updated 29th Jun 2022
The week long strike planned by Wiltshire's traffic wardens due to start tomorrow (Thursday 30th June) has been suspended.
Wiltshire Council and the GMB Union held talks today to try and resolve the dispute over pay.
The local authority say they reaffirmed its approach to continue to move discussions forward "in good faith" at the ACAS facilitated discussions.
They added that they acknowledge the concerns of the CEOs over unsocial hours and commit to bring back to the working group consideration of paying an ongoing protected amount to staff to reflect any difference in pay caused by the introduction of the new policy.
It was also confirmed they have not and are not contemplating fire and rehire, something that was claimed by the GMB Union.
Terence Herbert, Wiltshire Council Chief Executive, said:
“We attended ACAS-facilitated talks with GMB today in relation to the industrial action by officers within the civil enforcement team at the council, and both the council and GMB have agreed to move the process forward in good faith.
“As a result, GMB will suspend its industrial action from tomorrow, and this is a positive development.
“Working group discussions with the three recognised unions will continue, as we look to agree policies that are standardised, fit for purpose, financially viable and support delivery of the council’s Business Plan, while ensuring our staff are fairly and appropriately rewarded.
“We value our staff and the work they do for our communities, and we will continue to listen to their views as this process continues.”
The GMB Union say they will "remain vigilant " and are still prepared to take strike action if it becomes necessary to prevent a future pay cut.
Keith Roberts, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“Our shop stewards have explained very clearly to the council the impact that a ten per cent pay cut would have on them.
“GMB will remain vigilant and we are still prepared to take strike action if it becomes necessary to prevent a future pay cut for these frontline workers.
“The council has given us sufficient commitment that they will not be starting the process of fire and rehire to force through a pay cut against the wishes of their workforce, and we are therefore suspending industrial action.
“This is a big win for our traffic wardens, who were preparing for a 7 day strike, but have now forced the council’s u-turn without taking any further action.
"We still have a live mandate for strike action, and we will not hesitate to call further action if the council does not stand by these commitments.”