Parking officers have walked out in week-long strike action as they demand better pay.

The 39 employees tasked with enforcing parking in Slough and handling calls from recipients of fines and complaints about parking, have said "enough is enough" and slammed the poor pay, which they say is falling behind inflation rates.

Ivan Dias, 32, has been enforcing parking in Slough for nine years, but says he hasn't seen a pay rise in eight of them.

He added: "We are not getting enough income. The inflation has gone up too high and the wage they pay us is not enough to cover the costs. Electric bills, everything has gone up. There is no overtime pay and every time we ask for a raise we get ignored."

In December, employer Saba agreed an interim pay offer, raising the hourly wage from £10.50 to £12 for 12 months, but Richard White, Regional Political Officer for Unite the Union, says there has been no subsequent offer to resolve the dispute.

As a result, the employees have walked out, with strikes having started on Thursday, February 1 and set to last until Tuesday, February 6 - leaving car parks and roads unattended and phone lines closed.

Saba is a parking management company, that works on behalf of Slough Borough Council to patrol the roads, issue penalty notices and provide security to car parks where needed. Saba also employs office staff to handle paperwork and calls from members of the public.

Richard claims Saba's staff don't get sick pay and have less annual leave entitlement.

He added that workers feel "hung out to dry" and that Slough Borough Council has reportedly failed to "get involved in resolving any issues".

"I'm hearing so many issues with uniforms. I've heard reports of Civil Enforcement Officers who are out on the street in all weathers and don't even have a waterproof coat and there are no drying facilities on site.

"If they then get a cold for working out in the wet and cold all day and they go sick they don't get paid. We have heard reports of staff being assaulted on the street who then go sick and don't get paid.

"There is a whole load of issues we need to pick up with Saba once we resolve the pay issue."

The parking officers are demanding a further 10 per cent pay rise up to £13.20 - which Richard says is "in line with the bottom of the market".

A long-term member of office staff said her wages are "very very low" and she is protesting due to "frustration with the rising cost of living".

"When people work and they can't afford the basic cost of living and they are unable to pay their bills and feed their family - what is the point of it?"

She added that she has an "aggressive job" with people often phoning up about their fines and parking tickets, hurling abuse down the phone.

"We are asking for more pay, holidays, for more support in the place of work. When people fall ill how can they pay their bills when they are already scraping the barrel and going to food banks."

A Civil Enforcement Officer said he had been hit by members of the public on multiple occasions but claims the police and Saba take no action.

Parking officers wear body-worn cameras, which are meant to protect officers and deter attackers. He added that he had previously been given a verbal warning for taking a day off ill.

One man said after essential costs, his salary leaves him with just £50 by the end of the month.

Further strike action has not been ruled out and the union says strike dates could be on the table.

Saba have been approached for comment.

A Slough Borough Council spokesperson said: "We are not in a position to discuss this matter at this time."