Reset Industrial Relations Now – Stop Kingston Sleepwalking Into Crisis
Kingston Council is facing a growing industrial relations disaster – and residents will pay the price if nothing is done.
It started with the ongoing dispute involving APCOA parking wardens, who are striking for fair pay and union recognition. Kingston’s parking wardens earn £13.85 an hour, far less than colleagues in Camden and Westminster (£16.50). They’re asking for £15, still below parity for doing the same job in the same city.
Instead of working to resolve the dispute, the Council is accused of presiding over something far worse – the illegal transfer of agency staff to break the strike. If true, this is not only morally indefensible but could breach employment law and cost taxpayers in legal penalties.
Now, the crisis is spreading:
- School transport workers are being balloted for strike action. If SEND transport collapses, children with complex needs may be left without a way to get to school this autumn.
- Waste workers are also on the brink of a ballot. That could mean rubbish piling up on Kingston’s streets within weeks.
We’ve seen where this road leads. Birmingham’s bin strikes dragged on for months, cost over £6 million, and wrecked public confidence in the council. Kingston can avoid that fate – but only if it acts now.
We are demanding Kingston Council reset its industrial relations strategy immediately to protect essential services. That means:
✅ An urgent independent investigation into the use of agency staff during the APCOA strike.
✅ An emergency summit with unions, contractors and councillors to resolve all disputes.
✅ A commitment to negotiation over confrontation to safeguard vital services and taxpayer money.
Sign the petition and share it now. Let’s force Kingston Council to act before we see Birmingham’s nightmare play out on our streets.
