UNISON to meet with Justice Secretary to try and avert strike ballot.

Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland intransigence over police staff pay negotiations has caused a major industrial relations breakdown with UNISON.

UNISON is meeting the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, on Monday 16 January 2017, to try and avert a pending strike ballot. Talks with Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland broke down after employer intransigence.

UNISON members were balloted over the past month, in a consultative ballot. The result was an overwhelming rejection of employers pay offer, by 92%. UNISON are increasingly concerned that police staff are moving towards serious industrial action

Gerry Crawley, UNISON Regional Organiser, said “The only way forward for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland is to take part in true and meaningful negotiations which result in a fair offer, which recognises the value of police staff, rather than the contempt they have been shown in recent years. It is clear that Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland are not ready to negotiate or even set out a clear timetable for talks. UNISON will not participate in any further meetings until meaningful negotiations commence.”

George McIrvine, UNISON police staff branch secretary said, “The employer must listen and take the overwhelming ballot result seriously. Our members living costs are increasing year on year, real pay is 12 per cent lower today than in 2009. In addition, Police Staff continue to feel the pain of Police Scotland’s Reform agenda which has yet to deliver a fair and equitable pay model for staff and as it stands this will be delayed for at least another 2 years.”

UNISON advised the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland yesterday of the result of a consultative ballot of their membership who overwhelmingly voted (92%) to reject the employers most recent pay offer.

Notes to editors
The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) is the employer of police staff, these staff work under the direction of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy for Staff Pay Remits sets the framework for public sector pay. It applies to the Scottish Government and its associated departments, agencies, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), public corporations and NHS Scotland Senior Management posts (Grades A-C only).

UNISON Scotland Contacts: 

Gerry Crawley, Regional Organiser – 07958 121805
George McIrvine, Police Staff Branch Secretary – 07842 542 677
Danny Phillips, Communications Officer – 07944 664 110