PARKING officers throughout Ealing Borough are on a two-week strike which is due to last until July 14.

Since the start of May, over 40 civil enforcement officers have taken intermittent strike action over Serco's offer of severance which they claim has targeted union members.

According to Unite, Serco is refusing to negotiate a new absence management policy for employees working on the Ealing contract.

Unite believes the present policy is being used to unfairly dismiss employees and should be renegotiated.

Last Wednesday, June 30, Serco employees were joined by Ealing Southall MP, Virendra Sharma, in protesting outside Ealing Council's offices at Perceval House.

Unite regional officer Clare Keogh said: "The parking free for all in Ealing over the next two weeks is entirely Serco's fault.

"It is to be hoped that during the Acas talks, Serco will table proposals that our members can agree to and this dispute can be brought to a close.

"As a Labour council, Ealing council should be condemning Serco's union-busting tactics and pressuring them to stop.

"If Serco refuse, then the council should follow Labour policy and bring the civil enforcement contract back in-house."

Leader of Ealing Council, Peter Mason, said: "Ensuring workers are treated fairly remains a commitment for the council.

"We hope this can be resolved amicably via Acas and are monitoring closely while working to secure a resolution on this issue as a matter of priority.

"I look forward to meeting civil enforcement officers soon to understand more the impact of COVID, lockdown and industrial action has had on them."