Camden NSL members on strike in 2012
Traffic Wardens across Camden, employed on an outsourced contract with NSL, have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action with 88.7% saying ‘yes’ to strikes and 91.9% supporting action short of a strike in a ballot that closed on Friday 07 August.
The vote would have satisfied the draconian requirements for lawful strike action proposed in the Tory government’s current (anti) Trade Union Bill.
Camden UNISON represents over 75% of the borough’s traffic wardens, most of whom are on a basic hourly rate of £8.92 after a bitter dispute three years ago that saw five days of strike action and ended in a three-year deal that saw hourly pay rise slightly above the then London Living Wage (LLW). NSL initially offered an increase to the current LLW of £9.15, increasing this to £9.27. Stewards were prepared to recommend a settlement based on £9.50 an hour, but there was no further movement in negotiations by NSL despite the fact that Camden Council was effectively bankrolling the offer in full.
NSL is now the biggest player in the parking enforcement industry and a leading bidder for privatised NHS ambulance/patient transport services. The firm is ultimately controlled by a private equity company, AAC Capital Partners.
UNISON’s national Industrial Action Committee has authorised official strike action, which looks likely to start during the week commencing 24 August. More detailed information will be forthcoming on our website in the next few days.