We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time
The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Nottingham's controversial Workplace Parking Levy could lead to strike action at Imperial Tobacco, after the firm revealed plans to pass the charge on to employees at its site on the Lenton Industrial Estate.
According to the GMB union, which with Unite is set to ballot members on a strike in protest at the plans, Imperial intends to charge each employee £188 to fund the £115,000 bill for 400 spaces in the first year of the levy.
"It is a tax to go to work," GMB regional organiser for the Midlands and East Coast, Chris Needham, told BusinessCar. "I think they have totally misjudged the mood of the workforce."
A spokesman for Imperial described the levy as unfair because the firm's shift patterns mean its workers travel outside of the normal rush hour, while being based on the edge of the city means it will receive no benefit from the tram system the WPL is designed to fund.
"This is not an unusual approach we're taking. Many other companies and organisations have gone down a similar path, and we're certainly not out on a limb," said a spokesman for Imperial. "There are no hard figures yet, but we've said we are happy to share the cost, although the level of detail has not yet been discussed." He said discussions with the unions will continue.
Boots is one large employer based in Nottingham that has already announced plans to part-subsidise the levy for employees.
Follow BusinessCar on TWITTER.
BusinessCar magazine ©2019
Business Car Magazine © 2020 | Business Car is part of NS Media Group.
