Traffic wardens strike over changes to working hours

The walkout from Monday by members of Unison comes in response to York City Council’s decision to extend their 37-hour working week from four days to five.

The union claims the changes will pile pressure on workers and overstretch a service which has seen a third of posts disappear in recent years.

Regional organiser Melanie Onn said members had been left with no alternative but to take industrial action.

“The strike will cause major disruption to traffic management but we have tried to negotiate with the council and they are flatly refusing to consider any of our alternative proposals,” she said.

City of York Council said the changes were necessary to cut costs and continue to provide a full and effective service and would not increase or reduce the overall number of working hours.

Sally Burns, director of communities and neighbourhoods, said: “We are extremely disappointed that Unison feel it is necessary to take this action and would like to stress that we still would want to work closely with them and the staff concerned to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible.”

All of the city’s car parks will remain open during the strike, as will the council’s parking hotline.