Police staff to be balloted for industrial action

UNISON, Unite and GMB – three trade unions representing police staff – have announced plans to ballot their police staff members in England and Wales for industrial action over a pay offer of just 1%.

Police staff involved in the dispute include Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), 999 call takers and dispatchers, fingerprint experts, criminal justice unit clerks, custody and detention officers, and a wide range of operational and organisational support roles that keep police forces running.

The unions have asked for a 3% pay increase or £500, whichever is greater, as well as a 3% increase on standby allowance. This follows a pay freeze in 2011 and 2012 and just a 1% increase last year.

In an informal ballot in the summer, members overwhelmingly rejected the 1% offer and indicated they were prepared to take industrial action.

Following the consultation, the employers refused to re-open negotiations with the unions.