South London drivers face “major disruption” if planned strike action from parking wardens this month goes ahead, union bosses have warned.

The GMB union is demanding a pay rise of £5 an hour for its members employed by private contractor NSL Parking Services in Wandsworth. 

The union claims the wardens are “underpaid”.

It says it has more than 60 members working for the contractor in the borough. It wants staff contracts to be brought in-house by Wandsworth Council under its new Labour administration.

Wandsworth Council and NSL say the workers receive the London Living Wage. 

NSL claims it has made a “number of offers” to the union in line with inflation which have been rejected and that it hopes a resolution can be reached. 

The strike action is scheduled for June 20 to 22 and June 27 to 29. 

Paul Grafton, regional organiser at GMB, says the planned walkout is “likely to cause major disruption to traffic and car parking in the area on the days in question” for the general public.

He said: “Now that the Tories have been ousted from Wandsworth, we will be calling on the Labour leader to bring these important and valuable services back under local authority control.”

He added: “The council earns many tens of millions per year in parking charges, so perhaps they might want to think about reinvesting some of that money in the people who earn it for them.”

A spokesperson for NSL and its parent company Marston Holdings said: “Civil enforcement officers currently receive the London Living Wage in line with the previous pay agreement with the GMB. 

"We are disappointed that despite a number of offers having been made in line with inflation, these have all been rejected and that the GMB have not compromised in their demand for a 58 per cent pay increase.

“NSL continue to negotiate regarding future pay and we remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement.”

A spokesperson for Wandsworth Council said: “Parking attendants are employed through an operator and the council has ensured that their current pay level meets the London Living Wage, in line with other local authorities.

“Despite a number of offers having been made these have all been rejected without any attempt to compromise, and action is being threatened which will have a negative impact on our residents and businesses who rely on parking enforcement in their local area.”