Car Parking
11th June 2008
Members Reject the Revised Car Parking Proposals
Dear Colleague
As a result of members rejecting the revised proposals from Lancashire County Council in relation to parking charges, we now need to reassess the dispute and the relating legal challenge for Breach of Contract.
In terms of the legal challenge, if you have not already registered your objection to the charges you need to do so IMMEDIATELY and write to Carol Mills (please do not email), as Director of Human Resources. It would be useful to retain a copy or send one to us. In addition to this we are looking for a couple of candidates from each of the following categories to be the lead name in the legal challenge:
1) Essential Car Users
2) Members employed prior to 2003
3) Blue Badge holders
If you feel able to put your name forward please contact the Branch Office as soon as possible. Any member who wants more information about this can contact me via phone or email.
Turning to the industrial action, there will be a meeting for members involved, to discuss further action and the progress of the dispute from this point. The meeting will be in the Council Chamber at County Hall on 23.6.08, will begin at 12.00 and end by 1.30.
It is important that as many members who can attend do so to enable the branch to move this forward and achieve the outcome which members want.
We will circulate a reminder for the meeting and we hope to see you on the day.
Carol Lukey
Branch Secretary
21st May 2008
Questions and Answers on Proposed Revised Parking Charges
1. Who has suggested the new proposals?
Elected Members have asked Senior Officers to try and reach a negotiated settlement. They have delegated authority to them to put forward new proposals.
2. If members accept the proposals what happens to the legal challenge for breach of contract and the Industrial Action?
The Employer would want us to settle the Industrial Action and withdraw the Legal Challenge.
3. What would happen if Unison members reject the proposals?
The Industrial Action would continue and preparations for the legal challenge would also continue.
4. What are the chances of winning the breach of contract claim?
We wouldn’t be pursuing this claim unless there was a reasonable chance of success.
5. How long will it take to come to court?
It could take 12 months.
6. If we were to lose the legal case would the offer still be on the table?
Extremely Unlikely.
7. If we win what would be the outcome?
All additional costs would be refunded where employees have parked on LCC car parks. However it isn’t clear whether that would mean no charges ever!
8. Are there any changes for staff parking at Avenham?
The Parking at Avenham will not be on a pay as you park basis, however, the charges for the full year would be at the new proposed rate and can still be paid monthly.
23rd April 2008
Model letters members can use to lodge grievances or objections to the car parking charges
Those members who qualified for free car parking permits before 1 April 2008 need to ensure that they have made it clear to the employer in writing (please do not send your correspondence by email) that they do not accept the change. In particular, those members who have purchased car parking permits/paid for car parking/been forced to make alternative transport arrangements should write to the employer stating that they have been forced to do so under protest and reserve their individual right to take legal action for breach of contract. Members should retain copies of all grievances and letters of objection.
Letter A - Those who HAVE registered (36kb)
Letter B - Those who HAVE NOT registered (37kb)
7th April 2008
Please tell us your car park protest stories!
Car Parking - Industrial Action Stories (13kb)
One members account so far
4th April 2008
UNISON is taking legal action against your employer due to the illegal imposition of Car Parking charges
UNISON is taking legal action (8kb). Read more.....
31st March 2008
1. All members should continue to record letters of objection if you have not done so already in relation to purchasing car parking permits.
2. If you do not purchase a parking permit and you start to use other parking facilities you must keep all your receipts for further use in relation to we believe a breach of contract.
3. Legal advice has been received and all the indications are that your employer is breaching your contract and we will now be looking at pursuing the legal avenues that are open to UNISON. Please look out for further information on this matter.
14th March 2008
Car Parking Bulletin No.5 (37kb)
5th March 2008
Lancashire Unison Says
Be a Pain Take the Train! Make a Fuss Catch the Bus!
Car Parking Bulletin No.4 (1.2mb)
27th February 2008
Car Parking Industrial Action
We have today had approval from the National Office for the Industrial Action. We have given notice to LCC that the action will start on 5th March 2008, we will issue a further bulletin in the next couple of days.
The industrial action will be continuous action short of strike action and will include;
- Non-registration.
- Members will not to use their cars in connection with the employer business on a continuing basis.
- Working strictly to contract
- Working to contracted hours
- Refusal to sign up for the new parking system.
- No cover for absent colleagues due to sickness or holidays.
- No cover for vacant posts
- No overtime or additional hours
26th February 2008
Car Parking Ballot Result
60% vote in favour of action short of strike.
8th February 2008
Car Park Registration
Car Park Registration (13kb)
25th January 2008
Car Parking Proposals
This is an update on the car parking charging proposals as a result of letters issued yesterday and Wednesday and reinforces the advice previously circulated.
7th January 2008
Car Parking Charges and Draft Letter to Councillors
Car Parking Bulletin No.1 (500kb)
Draft letter to Councillors (134kb)
Intranet link to list of Councillors
Internet link to list of Councillors
17th December 2007
Say No to Car Park Charges at Work
The result of the recent consultation with members was 3 to 1 in favour of some form of Industrial Action (short of Strike Action) over LCC’s car park charging proposals. Read more......
Say no to car park charges at work (12kb)
23rd November 2007
Car Parking Charging Proposals
Car Parking Charging Proposals (11kb)