More than 200 parking wardens and environmental officers across four London boroughs, including Richmond borough, stopped issuing tickets as a form of industrial action as of yesterday, Monday, 3 March.

This is the continuation of a dispute which has seen GMB members take 14 days of strike action since November.

The action is being taken by wardens in Wandsworth, Richmond, Lambeth and Kingston, and will continue indefinitely or until APCOA agree to settle the dispute.

Members of GMB, the union for outsourced workers, voted last year to take action over a slew of workplace issues, including:

• Still not being offered a fair rise in pay talks that have lasted months
• Leading the members on for months and not negotiating in good faith
• Still no recognition agreed for contracts in Kingston and Richmond
• Harassment and intimidation of GMB members

Alex Etches, GMB Regional Organiser said: "APCOA is refusing to settle this dispute, which is forcing our members to take this unprecedented action.

"Despite this type of industrial action never having been tried before, we are predicting complete disfunction when it comes to traffic and parking across South London.

"Our members meanwhile won't be losing any pay, but solely costing this privateer and the local authorities, who are yet to learn that workers are the ones that make these contracts run.

"If APCOA refuse to settle this dispute, our members have shown their resolve to finally shake off the penny-pinching, vampire-like bosses that impoverish us all."

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A spokesperson for Richmond Council said:  "Due to an ongoing pay dispute, members of the GMB union have taken industrial action since Monday 3 March. APCOA workers play a crucial role in our community, providing guidance to the public and ensuring parking regulations are upheld. We hope a resolution is reached as soon possible."