City faces parking wardens strike

Strike action could see free parking over the weekend before Christmas

Parking attendants in Brighton and Hove have threatened not to issue penalty notices in protest at plans to scrap a Christmas bonus and staff party.

The GMB union condemned the "scrooge- like decision" taken by the firm, NCP.

Workers will be balloted on industrial action, which the GMB said could see free parking just before Christmas.

Tim Cowen, of NCP, said it could be seen as "inappropriate to organise an event involving alcohol" and bonuses would still be given through the year.

If this is the thin end of the private equity wedge, GMB members are standing firm Rachel Lyons, GMB organiser

The GMB said NCP, which is owned by private equity firm 3i, had originally given the bonus as £50 vouchers to spend in a number of shops.

It changed to Argos vouchers three years ago, before it was cut to £25 last year.

The staff affected are on-street parking attendants and car-pound staff working on the Brighton and Hove contract.

GMB organiser Rachel Lyons said a consultative ballot of members on Wednesday had shown 83% in favour of all-out strike action, while 100% had voted to work to rule.

"This is a clear response that they will be not be brow beaten," she said.

'Value for money'

"If this is the thin end of the private equity wedge, GMB members are standing firm."

But Mr Cowen, of NCP Services, said the company worked hard to provide its staff with "good training, excellent opportunities for promotion and an attractive pay and benefits package".

"Ensuring that we offer value for money to the local councils who employ us is absolutely central to our business," he said.

He added that it employed people from more than 100 countries, so it was "perhaps not any longer appropriate just to recognise Christmas celebrations".

"It has never been a company policy to organise Christmas parties for staff, and as leading transport industry employer it could be seen as inappropriate to organise an event involving alcohol," he said in a statement.