Police Scotland’s forensic specialists, custody staff, emergency control room workers and others working in police staff roles have voted overwhelmingly (63%) to reject a pay offer and will take industrial action, if necessary, says UNISON today (Friday).
The union says that the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) offer of 4.75% on pay and allowances fails to address the cost-of-living crisis and the vital contribution police staff make to keeping communities safe.
UNISON Scotland branch secretary David Malcolm said: “Police staff are standing up for fair pay and are prepared to take industrial action, if necessary.
“The Scottish Police Authority’s offer does not reflect the impact that rising prices are having upon pay packets, nor the critical part police staff play in keeping us all safe.
“Police staff do the painstaking investigations to ensure criminals can be prosecuted successfully and are the first people the public speak to when they call 999. It’s important we invest in them and make sure their pay does not lag behind.”
UNISON Scotland’s lead for police staff Deborah Clarke said: “This is the first time police staff have voted for industrial action since the creation of Police Scotland a decade ago.”
“This sends a clear message that staff need to be listened to and respected for the essential work they do.”
“The SPA needs to put forward a revised offer. UNISON remains committed to finding a solution to this dispute.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON is largest union in Scotland with its members delivering police services, social care, education, local government, NHS, utilities and energy. They are employed in public, private and voluntary sectors.
– Police staff include: 999 call takers, emergency dispatchers, scenes of crime officers, custody officers, financial investigators, crime analysts, fingerprint experts, counter terrorism specialists, cyber-crime investigators, digital forensic staff, CCTV operators and many more roles.
– UNISON’s police staff consultation closed today (Friday) at noon.
– Key points of the pay offer include: a £1,344 increase for those earning up to £28,296 and 4.75% for those earning above this. There would also be a 4.75% increase to disruption allowances, unsocial hours payments, and other allowances.