Strike by parking workers could disrupt world cycling event, says union
GMB Scotland said the industrial action could see illegally parked vehicles left to obstruct the routes for road races.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A union claims an international cycling event taking place in Glasgow next month faces disruption after council parking staff voted to strike.
GMB Scotland said 95% of a ballot of about 60 members in parking services at Glasgow City Council have backed industrial action for August 3 – when the UCI Cycling World Championships arrive in Scotland.
The union, which has the largest representation among union members in the council’s parking services, said the mandate for industrial action threatens city-wide disruption during the event when illegally parked cars could hamper cyclists and obstruct road races.
It comes after unions rejected the latest pay offer that local government leaders at Cosla said amounts to a 5.5% pay increase.
The World Cycling Championships should be an opportunity to showcase our country around the globe and to risk it being disrupted by failing to properly recognise the work of our members is an appalling act of self-harm by our council leaders
GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services, Keir Greenaway, said: “The overwhelming support for industrial action among our members in parking services should come as no surprise after they were offered a pay rise so far below the rate of inflation during an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.
“The World Cycling Championships should be an opportunity to showcase our country around the globe and to risk it being disrupted by failing to properly recognise the work of our members is an appalling act of self-harm by our council leaders.
“When it was clear Cosla were unable, or unwilling, to negotiate a fair pay rise, we urged the Scottish Government to get involved to fund an improved offer. That intervention is even more urgently needed now.”
Glasgow City Council has been contacted for comment.