The UK’s biggest union is today urging its police staff members – including Pcsos – to reject a 1% pay offer and possibly take industrial action.
Unison has started a massive consultation with its members across England and Wales which could ultimately lead to disruption.
The Unison staff involved include including 999 call takers, Police Community Support Officers, detention officers, fingerprint experts, scene of crime officers and crime analysts.
A survey of 1,900 police members by the union shows two in five (40%) are struggling to make ends meet and 80% said they had to cut back on their living costs with three-quarters admitting they have reduced their food spending.
Unison national officer for police staff Ben Priestley said: “The 1% pay offer falls short of the 3% claim put forward by unions. Police and justice staff have been badly hit by the rise in the cost of living as well as suffering from stress and overwork.
“The value of our members’ pay in the police service has fallen significantly since 2010 and it is no surprise that they are struggling to make ends meet.
“This consultation will give our members the opportunity to have their voices heard and potentially move their anger into action.”
The survey also showed that almost 30% worked up to 14 hours a month of unpaid overtime and for one in 10 it was up to 28 hours. More than half (52%) said they have not had a holiday in the last 12 months.
Almost a third of respondents said their debt increased and as a result almost 60% have put off repairs to their home.
Unison says the value of police staff pay has dropped by 13% since 2010. This is as a result of inflation, the pay freezes in 2011 and 2012 and the below inflation 1% pay rise last year.
UNISON is calling on members to reject the offer and move to a formal industrial action ballot in support of the joint union claim for a 3% or £500, pay rise.
The pay consultation ballot will run from now until September 9.
