Reading parking chaos continues as strikes escalate

Residents of Reading, Berkshire, are to face further parking chaos in January and February as Unite members in the Modaxo enforcement teams take further strike action over pay.

Nearly 40 civil enforcement officers are to take part in industrial action from 24th to 30th January and from 31st January to 6th February. 

They have previously taken strike action in December last year.

Reading council has outsourced parking protection to Modaxo.

The dispute is in relation to Modaxo’s failure to address concerns around rates of pay.

Civil enforcement officers are currently on just £12 per hour which is significantly lower than the rate they would be paid if they were directly employed by the council.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite said: “The parking chaos in Reading is entirely the result of Modaxo’s failure to negotiate.

“It is a huge multinational conglomerate making billions in revenue and yet sees fit to penny-pinch and pay poverty wages to our members in Reading. 

“They are treating their workers and the communities in Berkshire they serve with utter contempt and Unite will not stand for it. These workers will have the full support of Unite in this battle for fair pay.”

Richard White, regional officer at Unite added: “Unite is simply demanding a fair day’s pay for or members’ work like their council-employed colleagues get.

“But Modaxo is refusing to come to the negotiating table with a new offer our members can accept and we have been forced to escalate strike action in response. 

“Residents and workers in Reading will know that Modaxo are to blame for the parking chaos that occurs. Unite will be backing our members every step of the way in this dispute.”

A spokesperson from Modaxo said: “Trellint has been actively working to resolve the labour dispute with staff members in Reading who are part of Unite the Union.

“The company is committed to a swift resolution and are collaborating with staff and Unite to address concerns and reach a solution that ensures employee well-being and maintains service continuity for the Reading community.”