Police staff across Scotland are in the process of voting on a proposed pay increase, which their union, Unison, is recommending to reject. The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has put forward a 4.75% rise in salary and allowances, a figure that Unison believes does not meet the expectations of this year’s pay claim.
The ballot, set to run until November 1, has sparked discussions within the police force. Unison Scotland police staff branch secretary, David Malcolm, highlighted the crucial role that police staff play in maintaining community safety. He expressed disappointment in the lack of investment in the service despite earlier promises.
Malcolm also drew attention to the disparity in spending, particularly on consultancy firms, while staff pay remains a contentious issue. He urged Unison members to push back against the current offer and show readiness for industrial action to push for a better deal.
In response, an SPA spokesperson defended the 4.75% offer, outlining its coverage for different pay levels within the force. They emphasised that the proposal exceeds inflation rates and surpasses pay increases in other sectors of the Scottish public services, excluding the NHS. The spokesperson stressed the commitment to no compulsory redundancies and detailed how the offer would impact various allowances for officers and staff members.
The outcome of the staff ballot will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing the ongoing pay dispute within Police Scotland. Both sides will be closely monitoring the results as they navigate negotiations and potential industrial action in the pursuit of a fair and satisfactory pay deal for all police staff members.