Police staff members in Scotland are currently facing a decision on a pay offer that has been criticized by the union, Unison. The offer, presented by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), includes a 4.75% rise on pay and allowances, which Unison believes falls short of this year’s pay claim.
Unison Scotland’s police staff branch secretary, David Malcolm, emphasized the crucial role played by police staff in ensuring the safety of communities across the country. He highlighted the essential work done by employees in control rooms, forensic laboratories, and custody suites, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to the justice system.
Malcolm expressed disappointment in the lack of progress since the establishment of Police Scotland a decade ago, citing reductions in police numbers and cuts in police staff pay. He also raised concerns about the increasing expenditure on consultancy firms, such as Price Waterhouse Cooper and Deloitte, at the expense of frontline staff.
As a result, Unison is recommending that police staff members reject the current offer and demonstrate their willingness to consider industrial action to push for an improved proposal from the SPA.
In response, the SPA defended its offer, stating that the 4.75% increase applies to police staff members earning £28,296 and above. Staff members earning up to £28,296 are offered a £1344 uplift, with adjustments to the lowest pay points scheduled for April 1, 2024. The SPA also outlined increases in various allowances for officers and staff, along with adjustments to on-call allowances over the coming years.
Moreover, the SPA highlighted its commitment to avoiding compulsory redundancies and emphasized that the offer exceeds inflation rates and surpasses pay increases in other sectors of the Scottish public service, excluding the NHS.
The decision on whether to accept or reject the pay offer will be determined through a ballot running from Tuesday to November 1. This process will allow police staff members to have their say on the proposed pay increase and determine the next steps in addressing their concerns about fair compensation for their vital contributions to the community’s safety and well-being.