Traffic Wardens in Bromley Vote to Strike Over 50p Pay Rise Dispute

A pay dispute has escalated in south-east London after traffic wardens in Bromley voted unanimously to go on strikeover what their union has described as an “insulting” 50p hourly pay rise offer.

The workers, who are employed by APCOA Parking, a private contractor providing parking enforcement services on behalf of Bromley Council, rejected the proposed increase by 97%, demanding fair pay in line with the London Living Wage and backdated adjustments to reflect the cost-of-living crisis.

Background: The Dispute Over Pay

Currently, parking enforcement officers in Bromley earn £12.21 per hour, which is £1.64 below the London Living Wage of £13.85 per hour. APCOA’s offer would have raised their pay to £12.71 per hour, an increase the GMB Unioncalled “insufficient and out of touch with economic reality.”

The proposed raise, which also was not backdated, has been a central sticking point for staff. Workers argue that the real-terms value of their pay has fallen dramatically amid rising inflation, energy costs, and transport fares across London.

A spokesperson for the GMB Union, which represents the wardens, said the vote to strike showed a “clear message of solidarity” from its members, adding that they would “not hesitate to act to secure the respect and fair pay they deserve.”

Union and Worker Reactions

GMB regional organiser Craig Prickett confirmed that the union has already notified APCOA that industrial action is imminent unless a “meaningful, backdated pay offer” is tabled.

He said:

“Unless significant progress is made, GMB will move to confirm strike dates in the coming days. These workers have shown extraordinary commitment to keeping Bromley’s roads safe and clear — they deserve pay that reflects that responsibility.”

One Bromley traffic warden, speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, criticised APCOA’s handling of the situation:

“Management keeps trying to divide us and have even said they’ll bring workers in from other contracts if we take action. That just makes us more determined to stick together.”

Another worker said that because the offer wasn’t backdated, the increase felt meaningless:

“It’s basically coming out of our own pockets. A real pay rise means recognising the months we’ve already worked under pressure, not a token gesture moving forward.”

APCOA’s Response

APCOA Parking, which manages parking enforcement for Bromley Council under contract, said it was “disappointed”that its offer was rejected.

A spokesperson for the company stated:

“We believe our offer was a fair one. We remain open to continued constructive discussions with the GMB to reach a resolution and avoid any industrial action.”

However, the union maintains that APCOA’s offer falls short of a fair deal, particularly given the increasing cost of living across London and the physical and verbal challenges faced by parking enforcement officers daily.

Bromley Council’s Position

A spokesperson for Bromley Council said the authority hopes for a positive outcome but emphasised that the dispute is between the employer (APCOA) and its employees.

“The council has been made aware of the current discussions and is hopeful that an amicable resolution can be reached. However, pay and conditions are matters between the contractor and the staff union representatives,” the statement read.

Although the council is not directly involved in the negotiations, a prolonged strike could significantly impact parking enforcement operations, affecting residents, commuters, and businesses across the borough.

Impact of Potential Strike Action

If the strike goes ahead, Bromley could see reduced parking enforcement across key areas, leading to concerns about illegal parking, traffic congestion, and loss of parking revenue.

Parking enforcement officers play a vital role in maintaining road safety, ensuring fair use of limited parking spaces, and supporting local traffic management.

A strike could also have wider implications, as other London boroughs that outsource their parking services to private companies — such as Croydon, Haringey, and Westminster — may face similar pay-related disputes in the coming months if workers demand parity with the London Living Wage.

The Broader Context: Fair Pay and Cost of Living

This dispute is part of a wider trend of industrial unrest across public service and outsourced sectors. From transport staff to refuse collectors, many front-line workers have expressed frustration at low pay rises that fail to match the rising cost of living.

For traffic wardens, who frequently face verbal abuse, long hours, and difficult working conditions, the issue of fair pay carries even greater weight. The GMB argues that enforcement officers are essential workers who help maintain order on busy streets and should not be left struggling financially.

The London Living Wage, calculated annually by the Living Wage Foundation, represents what campaigners consider the minimum amount needed to meet basic living costs in the capital. Paying below this rate, they argue, contributes to financial insecurity and staff turnover — issues that can undermine the effectiveness of local enforcement services.

What Happens Next?

Unless APCOA makes a revised offer, the GMB is expected to announce formal strike dates soon, potentially within the coming weeks.

Should industrial action proceed, drivers across Bromley may notice fewer wardens on patrol, limited enforcement of parking restrictions, and delays in penalty processing.

However, both APCOA and the union have said they are open to further dialogue, suggesting that a negotiated settlement is still possible if the company agrees to backdate pay and reconsider its hourly rate proposal.

Conclusion: A Test of Fairness and Responsibility

The Bromley parking dispute underscores a broader challenge facing local authorities and contractors across the UK — how to balance cost efficiency with fair pay and staff morale.

While Bromley Council may not be directly responsible for APCOA’s wage structure, the public will undoubtedly hold both organisations accountable for ensuring essential services continue smoothly and that staff receive fair treatment.

For now, the message from Bromley’s parking wardens is clear: they are united, determined, and ready to take actionfor a fair wage that reflects their contribution to keeping London’s streets safe and functional.