One per cent pay rise strike vote

Police staff will vote on strike action following a dispute over a proposed one per cent pay rise.

GMB, Unison and Unite members employed as civilian staff say the offer from the Police Staff Council is “derisory and insulting”.

Members to be balloted 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.

GMB submitted a claim for a three per cent pay increase or £500, whichever is greater, as well as a three per cent increase on the standby allowance, following a pay freeze in 2011 and 2012 and a one per cent increase last year.

In an informal ballot in the summer, members overwhelmingly rejected the one per cent offer and indicated they were prepared to take industrial action. Following the consultation, the employers refused to re-open negotiations with the unions.