Parking wardens to stage two weeks of strikes

Parking wardens are set to stage fresh strikes in an ongoing dispute over pay, a union has said.

Nearly 40 civil enforcement officers in Reading are due to strike between Friday and 6 February.

Unite the Union said it was trying to secure higher pay for the parking wardens, but Modaxo - the company that Reading Borough Council outsources parking enforcement to - was "refusing to negotiate".

A spokesperson for Modaxo said Trellint, the UK business for the Canada-based company, was "actively working" to resolve the dispute.

The parking wardens, who also went on strike in December, are currently paid £12 per hour.

Unite said this was "significantly lower" than what they would be paid if they were employed directly by the council.

"[Moxado] is a huge multinational conglomerate making billions in revenue and yet sees fit to penny-pinch and pay poverty wages to our members in Reading," said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

A council spokesperson urged motorists to continue complying with parking regulations during the strike, adding they were "in place for the safety and wellbeing of all road users".

"Parking enforcement is still taking place in Reading during the strike periods, albeit at a reduced level," they said.

"Penalty Charge Notices will continue to be issued as required."

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