|
Thurs 25 August 2005
Scottish police staff strike success - CoSLA criticised
The first strike action in the history of Scotland's police staff
negotiations has been a resounding success - according to their
trade union - UNISON.
Peter Veldon , UNISON Regional Organiser (Police) said. "These
are staff, many of whom have never been on strike before. They're
action has been effective across all the police forces in Scotland
and they have been heartened by the support shown to them by the
public and their colleagues."
The strike saw police staff leaving their jobs in control centres,
labs, offices and police stations and staffing picket lines at Police
HQs across Scotland. In Dundee local suppliers turned back rather
than cross the picket lines and in Inverness local uniformed police
provided tea and sympathy!
The strike continues till midnight.
UNISON criticised CoSLA comments regarding contact with the union
and the lack of money available. Peter Veldon said "Apart from one
phone call saying 'there's no new offer', we have had no contact
from the employers recently. And to claim that they cannot afford
to offer more when Police forces have budgeted for 3-3.4% staff
pay rises this year, is misleading the public. Rather than spending
time pumping out this misinformation CoSLA would be better employed
sitting down with the unions and negotiating a deal that removes
the threat of further action. We will be contacting the chair of
the employers today to suggest this to them."
Police staffs in Scotland play an increasing role in delivering
services for the police - allowing them to concentrate on front-line
policing. They are at the heart of most of the modernisation and
new technological advances being introduced into today's policing
yet they can earn as little as 11.5 thousand pounds a year.
Peter Veldon said "Police staff are vital to the modernisation
process and have been key to most recent developments. They need
some recognition in their pay of this key role."
ENDS
For Further Information Please Contact: Peter Veldon (Regional
Officer) 07969 478 254(m) Raymond Brown (Chair TU negotiators) 07050
200 504(m) Maureen Braid (Vice Chair TU Negotiators) 07723 051128(m)
Chris Bartter(Communications Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 0771 558
3729(m)
Police Minisite
Index
|
