The Workers Party London Branch expresses unwavering support for the traffic wardens of Ealing, who have commenced a month-long strike action against the Labour-run Ealing Council. This industrial action arises from a protracted dispute over alleged union-busting activities by the council’s in-house company, Greener Ealing Ltd.
Approximately 40 parking services workers, represented by Unite the Union, have been on strike since 27 August 2024, protesting Greener Ealing Ltd’s refusal to recognize their union and the imposition of untenable ticketing targets. These practices not only undermine workers’ rights but also exploit residents through aggressive enforcement measures.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated, “Ealing council is ripping off its residents by pressuring traffic wardens to issue tickets to meet targets.” This approach prioritizes revenue generation over fair treatment of both employees and the community.
The Workers Party London Branch condemns the Labour-run Ealing Council’s actions, which starkly contrast with the party’s foundational principles of supporting workers’ rights and fostering equitable labour practices. We call upon the council to cease its union-busting tactics, engage in meaningful negotiations with Unite, and establish a fair working environment for all employees.
This situation in Ealing reflects a broader trend of local authorities prioritizing financial gains over the welfare of their workers and constituents. The Workers Party London Branch remains committed to advocating for labour rights and stands in solidarity with all workers facing similar challenges.
Branch admin James Marlow adds on, “This is yet another betrayal of Ealing’s people by it’s council. It is completely unjust for an employer to be able to choose which unions in recognises, and which it doesn’t, as this gives the employer full power to completely prevent any legal strike action by their employees. A huge attack on workers rights, which can be traced all the way back to Thatcher’s policies (a reminder that the BBC admitted to having swapped the chronology of events to portray the miners as attacking the police first to justify tough anti-union measures). This is in the same boat as the Government’s implementation in the last few years of a law requiring police permission for any protest – permitting the Government to ban any protests it doesn’t like, as it did for the Palestine protest outside the BBC. These totalitarian measures must be brought to a stop, and the rights of workers, and ordinary citizens must be recognised, or we can no longer call the United Kingdom a functioning democracy.”
For further information from the union itself, consider reading their recent article – Ealing council hit by protests over traffic warden union-busting
