Striking park workers to disrupt annual cricket tournament

Park workers on strike over pay will disrupt an annual cricket tournament this week.

GMB union has warned against disruption to parks in Merton and Sutton as their members go on strike today and tomorrow.

Parks workers outsourced to Idverde, a leading maintenance provider are taking two days of strike action after unanimously rejecting the 2.5 per cent offer the company made them.

The union members carry out a number of roles connected to the maintenance of parks including landscaping, litter picking as well as opening and locking the parks. 

Strike action by park workers means that parks risk not being opened at all which will cause disruption to the running of the International Masoor Cricket Tournament, due to begin today in Merton.

Alex Etches, GMB organiser said: “Anyone who has enjoyed meeting their friends in a London park on a summer’s day undoubtedly know the value they bring to the lives of ordinary Londoners. 

“Merton and Sutton’s parks are the jewels in the boroughs’ crowns, but the workers who maintain and keep them are being paid well below the market rate for the jobs they do. 

“The workers that keep these parks for the residents should be able to live in dignity as a result of the great value they add to life in the city. 

“The local councils and company must step up and reward these workers fairly for the work they do, and local people will expect nothing less.” 

A spokeswoman from Idverde said: “We are disappointed by the action taken by our colleagues at sites across Sutton and Merton.

“We continue with open, cordial and constructive discussions with colleagues and are still hopeful of a workable resolution.

“We are and remain open to solutions, we have made our financial position clear to union colleagues. Now we are looking to them for support and ways to find workable options that will help bring us closer together.”

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