Lewisham parking officers suspend strike as talks begin
After five days of strikes, contractor NSL has committed to union recognition and the union expects formal pay negotiations to begin in the next few weeks.
Lewisham parking officers began strike action on 9 July to protest pay inequality and to call for recognition of their union, Unison.
Lewisham council uses the private contractor NSL for parking enforcement.
Unison said that Lewisham workers were being paid £1.70 less than colleagues employed by NSL and doing similar work in Camden and Westminster.
The union said that as NSL refused to recognise Unison, meaningful negotiation over pay and conditions was not possible and the workers had no option but to take industrial action.
A spokesperson for Unison said the union is "seeking formal recognition to enable collective bargaining on behalf of members and to ensure they have an effective mechanism for negotiating pay and conditions".
Unison London regional organiser Rachael Johnson said: "Parking enforcement officers provide an essential public service, often facing abuse while carrying out their duties. They deserve fair pay, equal treatment and the same respect shown to colleagues elsewhere."
The union confirmed that Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft, Lewisham Green mayor Liam Shrivastava, and a number of Lewisham Labour councillors had expressed their support to workers on the picket lines.
The workers have taken five days of industrial action and had a further 10 days planned.
A spokesperson for Unison confirmed on 23 July: "Future planned strike action is currently suspended following positive progress in discussions with the employer.
"NSL has now committed to signing a union recognition agreement, representing a significant step forward. With recognition now agreed in principle, formal pay negotiations are expected to commence over the next few weeks.
"Unison hopes these talks will result in improved pay and conditions for its members and bring the dispute to a positive conclusion through negotiation."
Lewisham council did not respond to a request for comment.
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