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Press Release

Unfair parking levy prompts union members to consider strike

7 February 2012

Hundreds of workers from the multi-national tobacco giant Imperial Tobacco's Nottingham site, via a joint union consultative ballot, have indicated they want to move to an external ballot for industrial action over the companies' decision to make them pay part of the 'workplace parking levy'.

In April 2012, Nottingham City Council will begin charging up to £288 annually per car via the workplace parking levy – a levy on 'employers' that provide workplace parking. The union believes that Imperial Tobacco can easily afford to pay this levy, but is instead burdening its workforce with an extra charge - which they can ill-afford.

In the recent consultative ballot, Unite and GMB members voted 75.6 per cent in favour of moving to a strike action ballot. The unions are now preparing to conduct a full industrial action ballot at Imperial Tobacco unless it removes this unacceptable levy from its workers. Dates of the ballot will be release in due course.

Unite regional officer, Luke Primarolo, said: “The council has imposed this levy on employers and it is their responsibility – not the workers. However, we now see this mega-rich multinational tobacco company refusing to pay this parking levy and is instead looking at ways to pass some of it on to its workers – this is totally unacceptable to our members.

“We have received a resounding 'yes' vote in our consultative ballot and preparations are now underway for a full industrial action ballot of the membership. We implore Imperial Tobacco to think again and reconsider placing this unfair levy on its workers.”



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