Cops ditch goodwill in bitter pay dispute
Union blasts pay offer as ‘derisory’
POLICE are set to take industrial action for the first time in a row over pay by “withdrawing goodwill”.
Officers have been told to stop turning up for shifts early, to refuse to take equipment home and end their beats at the allocated time on rotas.
The Scottish Police Federation previously rejected a pay rise of £565-ayear for cops, which general secretary Calum Steele said amounted to a two per cent rise for most members and one per cent for higher-earning members.
Steele said the “withdrawal of goodwill” was intended to show Ministers and the Scottish Police Authority “how much free policing hours they take for granted”.
In a letter to Chief Constable Iain Livingston, Steele wrote: “The Joint Central Committee of the Scottish Police Federation unanimously endorsed a series of actions in response to the derisory pay offer.
“With effect from 1700 hours on Friday, members will be withdrawing all goodwill. Further actions to safeguard our members’ health and safety, and to mitigate the effects of the cost of living crisis on them will follow.”
The Federation has also told cops to finish on time, with any overtime claimed for payment. Any officer required to work anywhere other than their usual workplace will not turn up until the shifts starts, which will require the previous shift to hang on and claim overtime.
Steele added: “The withdrawal of goodwill is not an action the JCC has endorsed lightly. It is a manifestation of the strength of feeling of our members of the utter contempt this pay offer represents to them.
“This is the most significant discontent in the police service since the 1970s, and the most overt demonstration of action by members in over 100 years.”
Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: “This is a direct result of the SNP’s appalling handling of negotiations, which has left police feeling unappreciated.”
Police Scotland said: “We remain committed, through the Police Negotiating Board (PNB), to seeking a settlement.”
The Scottish Government said: “The PNB process is ongoing in relation to pay for 2022/23, and we await the outcome.”
Withdrawal of goodwill shows the strength of feeling
CALUM STEELE SPF GENERAL SECRETARY