Crossing the Cupe Local 101 picket line has become a frustrating part of using the parking garage for Londoners with business at city hall and for residents of Centennial House next door.

It can be about a 10-minute daily delay.

But not everyone is sharing in the inconvenience. CTV News has learned Mayor Matt Brown has been avoiding the parking headache by using a city lot at nearby Victoria Park. It comes complete with a special strike parking pass signed by the head of parking enforcement.

“I want to respect the picket line. I want to make sure that I'm not there crossing through in my vehicle,” Brown says.

Some say it’s a double standard.

Centennial House resident Danielle House calls the mayor's pass unfair.  Her car is delayed for 10 minutes every time she needs to get into the garage and believes his should be as well.

“I can understand that he's in a hurry, but fair is fair,” she says.

The mayor could avoid the picket line, which only covers the sidewalk on two sides of city hall, by walking close to Centennial Hall and entering the back door of city hall.

During a municipal workers' strike in 2009, then Windsor mayor Eddie Francis would wait the10-minute period before entering city hall on foot.

Like everyone else, Brown is free to park wherever he wants during the strike, but unlike everyone else it sounds like he's doing it for free.

“You know, I personally see this as a cost effective solution. There is no charge for the taxpayers of London and it’s a space available to me.

But not apparently available to councillors. Ward 1 councillor Michael van Holst paid for metered parking a block from city hall Tuesday.

The mayor's special parking pass during the strike represents a second free spot.  As a privilege of his position, he already has a secure spot in the underground garage, with taxpayers footing the bill.

“I’ve made the decision to park off site through the period and I think it’s the right decision to make,” Brown says.

House disagrees.

“I think that he is just hiding from the situation and I’m sure he would be bombarded, but that's life.”

Meanwhile, the inside workers strike is into its eighth week. There is a media blackout in place as talks with a mediator continue.