UNISON is calling for better pay, terms and conditions in return for delivering reform in the 2003 pay claim for its 30,000 police support staff members. The union is asking for a pay increase of £1500, or 5% whichever is the greater for all police staff in England and Wales.
The call for better pay comes in the wake of recent research carried out for UNISON by NOP which shows that half of all police staff feel they are undervalued by their force. An even higher figure of 64% do not feel they are well paid for the job they do.
Ben Priestley, UNISON National Officer for Police Staff said:
ÒIt is clear that the current pay and reward regime is failing the majority of our members. The new pay claim gives the employers the opportunity to redress this imbalance at a time when major reforms are placing additional pressures on police staff.
ÒThe NOP survey found that the police staff workforce is already working flexibly and is open to change, but at the same time they are being held back by old fashioned notions of status, lack of managerial support, low pay and unequal pay and discrimination. This in turn has a negative impact on staff morale with 63% saying that morale has deteriorated and 66% reporting increased levels of stress.Ó
The full claim for 2003/2004 is
* a pay increase on all points of £1500, or 5% whichever is the greater
* a basic minimum annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days after 5 years service
* the introduction of a Police Support staff Council South East weighting allowance of £2000
Ben Priestley went on to say:
ÒThe cost of living in south east England is higher than almost anywhere else in the country and this is not reflected in police staff pay packets. Police officers already enjoy a similar allowance and it is simply unfair that this is not paid to our support staff members. House prices, transport and the general cost of living for police staff in the South east are obviously the same as for police officers.
ÒIn relation to annual leave, it is nothing short of a disgrace that in a national police service, police staff in some forces get nearly a week less annual leave than colleagues in neighbouring forces. UNISON is campaigning for a level playing field of terms and conditions for all police staff.Ó
Notes for Editors
The first round of pay talks is due to take place on Monday 14 July.
Police support staff carry out a wide range of duties including scenes of crime officers, community support officers, 999 call handlers, crime analysts, traffic wardens and enquiry clerks as well as providing management and administrative support.
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