In a pay dispute, police officers have asserted that public safety will not be compromised as they prepare to “withdraw goodwill.”
Friday at 17:00, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) will initiate its “most overt” action in a century.
Officers in Scotland are protesting a meager $565 pay increase.
Officers are prohibited by law from engaging in industrial action, but they will now charge for all overtime and refuse to begin shifts early.
Police Scotland stated that it was committed to negotiating a pay settlement with the Police Negotiating Board, with a resumption of talks scheduled for the following Monday.
Nicola Sturgeon expressed hope that police officers would accept a “fair and affordable” agreement.
Last week, the SPF governing body, which represents rank-and-file officers, rejected the £565 pay offer made to officers.
Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, announced in a letter to members on Thursday that he had received communication from the official site of the negotiations, which includes the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland, and the Scottish government.
He stated that it would allow discussions on the pay claim to resume the following Monday, but confirmed on Twitter that the withdrawal of goodwill would proceed as scheduled on Friday at 17:00.
Mr. Steele stated, “We have returned to the negotiating table, but we have not yet made a formal, improved offer.”
“As a result, it is vital that our members continue to be able to express their frustration.
“It is hoped that this will serve as a reminder, during the discussions that will hopefully begin on Monday afternoon, of how crucial this issue is for police officers.
“I am certain that I will emphasize this point, and that it will also be acknowledged by the official site.”
Mr. Steele also “guaranteed” that officers’ actions would not compromise public safety.
Unpaid policing time
He stated, “The police department will continue to operate as it has in the past.”
If the chief constable desires police officers to be present at a particular incident or event, or to work at a specific time, he has the power to make that happen.
The SPF leader had previously informed members that the action was not intended to impede an investigation or exacerbate the victim’s experience.
“It is simply to demonstrate to our employers how much discretionary effort and unpaid police hours they take for granted,” he added.
Initial withdrawal of goodwill consists of:
Police officers who start their shifts late
Ending their shifts at the scheduled time unless specifically instructed to work late.
If they are legally required to work additional hours, they may request payment for each period of overtime worked.
Officers who do not take their PPE home at the end of the day, regardless of where their next shift begins, are subject to disciplinary action.
Not bringing home police equipment like Airwave radios.
The general secretary stated that the federation did not endorse the action – the “most overt” action by members in more than a century – lightly, but that it demonstrated the “utter contempt” police had for the pay offer.
Police Scotland, according to a spokesperson, is committed to negotiating a pay settlement.
He added, “We recognize the significant goodwill officers bring to their roles every day in keeping people safe across the country, and the communities they serve also value this.”
Officers do merit a pay raise.
Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, raised the issue during Thursday’s First Minister’s Questions, stating that the SPF described the current pay offer as “derisory.”
Ms. Sturgeon stated that the cost of living crisis for police officers was “exacerbated by the Conservative government.”
She stated that officers in Scotland were paid more than in the rest of the United Kingdom, that Scotland had more police officers per capita than England, and that the policing budget would increase by £40,500,000 this year.
She added, “Pay negotiations are currently underway.” “I would expect the Scottish Police Federation and all other trade unions and professional organizations to advocate for their members during pay negotiations.
“I hope that all parties will continue to collaborate constructively to reach an agreement on a fair and affordable pay raise for our police officers.
Our police officers do deserve it, and we will continue to give police the importance it warrants.
Mr. Ross replied, “The president is on a different planet.”
“She claims that the meeting between her justice secretary and the federation was productive, and the federation reported this morning that its members are currently engaged in the most overt demonstration of action in more than a century”.
