Traffic wardens in the South London borough of Bromley have walked out on strike again this week, bringing their long-running pay dispute to a head. The four-day industrial action, running from Tuesday, January 6 to Friday, January 9, 2026, means motorists will not be issued with parking fines during this period.
The Core of the Dispute: Poverty Wages vs. Fair Pay
The Civil Enforcement Officers, employed by contractor APCOA, are demanding a wage of £17 per hour. Their employer, however, has so far only offered £13 per hour, a figure the GMB Union has labelled "unacceptable" as it falls below the London Living Wage of £14.80. This week's action will bring the total days lost to strikes to ten, following previous walkouts including a protest at Bromley Civic Centre on December 8.
During the strike, wardens will perform only their basic contractual duties to keep traffic moving safely. They will not issue any Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), a move that directly hits the revenue of Bromley Council, which outsources its parking enforcement to APCOA.
Council and Contractor in Blame Game
Bromley Council has consistently pointed the finger at APCOA for the stalled negotiations. A council spokesperson said in November that it was "not appropriate" for them to comment as they are not the direct employer. APCOA has previously defended its £13 offer as "fair".
Craig Prickett, GMB Regional Organiser, challenged this stance, stating: "Bromley Council cannot keep hiding behind outsourcing arrangements. These workers are enforcing the council's parking policies, generating significant revenue on their behalf, yet they are being paid poverty wages." He also questioned the financial logic of the ongoing dispute, asking how much revenue has been lost and how much is being spent on temporary cover and associated costs.
Wardens Speak Out on Financial Strain
The human impact of the pay dispute was voiced by an anonymous warden during December's protest. "At the moment, every month I'm falling further and further behind on bills while the council and APCOA profit from our hard work," they said. "We generate a huge amount of revenue for the council... I just want to be able to come to work, do my job and support my family."
The union reports that it has not heard from APCOA since initial talks broke down in November last year. With both sides seemingly entrenched, the disruption for Bromley and its motorists looks set to continue until a new pay deal is reached.
