Traffic wardens to strike for King’s coronation and spark parking chaos
Parking wardens will strike on the day of the King’s coronation – potentially paving the way for traffic chaos.
GMB, the union for the workers, has announced civil enforcement officers based in Westminster have voted to walk-out on May 6.
Alex Etches, GMB Organiser described striking parking wardens as ‘engines of history.’
He said: ”This is a great example of a simple truth in the world that is rarely acknowledged: that behind each great historical event are hundreds of ordinary workers working behind the scenes.
‘Working people like our members might seem to do unimportant jobs, but they are the engines of history.
‘This dispute is simply about working people being paid a decent wage for the physically demanding and very important job that they do.’
GMB members employed by the council’s contractor NSL are in dispute overpay and working conditions.
Union members confirmed they will strike on 2, 4 and 6 May, the latter of which is the day of the coronation procession and ceremony.
Mr Etches added: ‘If NSL fail to make a sensible offer in time, we’ll see just what an important job our members do as the King makes his way from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 6 May.
‘This is a company which has grown enormously rich off the public purse [1], all the while leaving our members doing a difficult and dangerous job for less than they deserve.’
Westminster City Council has been contacted by Metro.co.uk for comment.
Plans are well underway for next month’s coronation, with questions remaining on how long Prince Harry will be in attendance, the procession expected and the quality of the official Coronation Quiche.
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