People will risk not paying for parking because of traffic warden strike action says their union.

GMB union workers have been striking as part of a protest against proposed cuts to unsocial hours pay for staff such as social workers and traffic wardens.

Stike action took place on Tuesday, May 17 and protestors gathered outside County Hall in Trowbridge before a recent Wiltshire Council meeting. 

Andy Newman, branch secretary of GMB union, said: "This will have an impact, because once the message gets out that the traffic wardens are on strike, then a lot of people might take the chance of not paying, so the council do need to that seriously in terms of their revenue.

"The issue is quite an extraordinary one. Wiltshire Council is proposing to cut the pay of 350 people who receive an unsocial hours payment, and that will be a 20 per cent pay cut for social workers, 10 per cent pay cut for traffic wardens, leisure centre workers, some people in Highways, and re-ablement workers, who are specialist care staff that go into people's homes once they go into hospital."

Mr Newman said that for traffic wardens, that would mean a £2,000 pay cut, which with the current cost-of-living crisis, "they just can't afford".

He added: "Up until now the council has not been prepared to engage in serious talks to find alternatives to the pay cut and therefore our members have voted for a strike". 

"I am absolutely sure that there is a win-win solution to this, and with goodwill on both sides, I am sure we can get a solution.

"Hopefully the pressure we are putting on the council is paying off and hopefully the council will see sense."

Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council, said: “We’re still holding discussions with the three recognised unions – Unison, Unite the Union and GMB – over proposed changes to terms and conditions, and we hope to conclude these by the end of June.

“Workers’ basic pay is not being cut and no final decisions have been made about these proposals.

"But we do need to make changes to ensure our policies remain financially viable and fit for purpose to support the delivery of our business plan, while ensuring our staff are fairly and appropriately rewarded.

“While this strike continues, we are reminding people that parking restrictions remain in place, including car park charges and season tickets.

“We will continue to work positively with the three recognised unions to reach a resolution.”

Mr Newman confirmed on Wednesday that as a result of the strikes, Wiltshire Council had agreed to further talks but that further strike action can not be ruled out.