Motorists in Brent may be able to park for free later this month after traffic wardens voted to go on strike.

Members of Unite the Union who are employed by outsourcing firm Serco voted 100% in favour of the walkout.

The union last week served notice to Serco following its "offensive" offer of a 20p per hour pay rise was rejected by the union.

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The planned strike will last two weeks between the January 18 and 31 and would mean free parking for residents of Brent, Ealing and Hounslow unless the firm makes a better offer.

Cllr Anton Georgiou is leader of Brent Liberal Democrats, one of the opposition parties. He said: “Unite workers’ strike action against Serco is a reflection of the exploitation they face by this very profitable business.

"In Brent, contract workers are paid just £11.05 an hour, whilst Serco makes over £300 million in profit annually. That is simply not fair or just. I also hope Brent Council will consider their continued relationship with Serco given the company's poor treatment of workers."

The union says the current pay offer amounts to a 1.7 per cent pay increase for workers in Ealing who earn just £11.35 an hour.

Workers on the Hounslow and Brent contracts currently earn just £11.05 an hour and have been offered nothing above the rate for the real living wage.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We will continue to work with Serco and Unite to help find a solution. We know the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many people nationally and in Brent where we are committed to providing support for vulnerable people with financial difficulties. We have made it a contractual requirement for our suppliers to pay their staff, at a minimum, the London Living Wage."

The average earnings of traffic wardens are estimated to be well below the average for the area of £43,000 per annum and with mounting costs it is not known how workers will meet rises in rent and food prices.

Serco’s head of parking services Kieron Clarke said: “It is always our intention to work in partnership with the trade unions. We fully appreciate the impact of the current cost of living challenges are having on our people and we are fully engaged in discussions in an attempt avert any strike action."