Traffic wardens in Ealing began their second strike on Monday (July 4) over a bitter pay dispute.

The NSL employees, who work as parking enforcement officers for Ealing Council , led strikes last Thursday (June 30) lasting two days.

And on Monday (July 4) the traffic wardens, led by Unite the union, began their second strike in the borough which will go on until Wednesday (July 6).

Ealing Council said it has been informed by NSL that the level of parking enforcement service will not be disrupted.

A council spokesperson said: "We are disappointed to hear that Unite will be taking industrial action, but our contractor has assured us that it will maintain an effective service throughout the duration of the strike.

"As usual, we advise drivers to comply with parking regulations as failure to do so could result in them being issued with a penalty charge notice".

Ealing Council outsourced the pay of traffic wardens in 2010 to NSL, although the wardens still carry out parking enforcements on behalf of the council.

Why are traffic wardens striking?

The wardens are striking because they claim officers new to the profession are being paid less than those who were originally employed by the council.

Patrice Samaro, who has been a parking warden in Ealing since 2006, said it had created a "two-tier" pay system.

He added that traffic wardens employed by the council before 2010 were still being paid by NSL more that those on contracts after the deal.

The Northolt resident added: "Equal jobs for equal pay, everyone should get the same because we are working to the same conditions.

"We don't want a two-tier work force".

Regional officer for Unite, Jayesh Mistry, said: "Everyone should be payed the same wage for doing the same job".

'Common sense will prevail'

According to NSL, less than 30 wardens are currently on strike and the company has covered 85% of the missing staff.

A spokesperson for NSL said: "We are disappointed that a generous, above-inflation and above London Living Wage pay deal has been rejected by the union, and that industrial action is now taking place.

"We would like to reassure members of the public that on days of industrial action parking rules will continue to be enforced and traffic kept moving, with support from fully qualified and accredited officers from NSL, resulting in minimal disruption to local businesses and residents.

"We have always been open with the union and our staff and remain hopeful that common sense will prevail in resolving this dispute".