City of Melbourne parking inspectors have gone on strike over safety concerns

City of Melbourne parking inspectors have downed tickets and gone on strike over safety concerns following a rise in abuse from the public.

City of Melbourne parking officers have gone on strike. Picture: Jason Edwards

City of Melbourne parking officers have walked off the job because of personal safety issues.

More than 30 officers said they had been the subject of an increased number of assaults and abuse from members of the public because of anger over faulty parking meters.

The staff began their strike on Thursday after saying they wanted to work in pairs for better security but Town Hall bosses insisted they work individually.

An Australian Services Union spokesman said the officers had been threatened with dismissal.

The union had applied to WorkSafe for a provisional improvement notice because of the council’s lack of response to the officers’ concerns, the spokesman said.

The City of Melbourne has been contacted for comment.

Town Hall bosses have told parking officers to return to work by 3pm or face “disciplinary action”.

It’s believed the council has denied major problems with the parking meter software, and that legal advice had been sought.

The latest council budget expects to collect $40m in parking fines this year - or more than $100,000 a day.

Originally published as City of Melbourne parking inspectors have gone on strike over safety concerns