Should the Police have a right to strike?

aytch

Reading this thread has done my heart good. My OT is a PC of more than 20 yrs, he puts himself in the frontline and literally risks life, limb and sanity on a daily basis. He enjoys his job and even if given the chance would not strike.
I have never seen him so upset as when the refusal to backdate the pay award came in. He was unsure if public opinion was in favour of the police, so I have shown him this thread, it made his morning.

He too is waiting to see what MP's vote themselves, after all theirs is such a dirty, life threatening job, they deserve so much more than the rest of us ...oops sarcasm slipping in, had better end there!

stu3105

Although they cannot strike,they can however go uncertified sick for up to a week.

Maybe a co-ordinated sick day would do the trick.

Murtle

I don't endorse strikes, but for the Police Yes at the moment I would support them (as I did the firefighters) in any stike or work to rule action they wanted to take.

I think it is an absolute disgrace that the Government can decide to not backdate their pay. I am sick of this country not paying people who work hard for them their dues and making them run round in circles to boot.

Stephen_Leak

I believe that every worker, if dissatisfied with their "lot", should have the right to withdraw their labour as a last resort.

Actually, whilst I say last resort, it is actually the penultimate resort. The last resort is to quit that job and get a better one. Therefore, should the police (and prison officers, etc.) be forbidden to do that? I think not.

Andy_L

TroysMum wrote: »

They were only getting a 2.5% rise in the first place but to knock 0.6% off that is laughable.

I believe, in line with the rest of the Public Sector (except the Civil Service for some wierd reason), when they say 2.5% that's in addition to their annual career progression increment.

darich

TroysMum wrote: »

They have a work to rule option, which means they only respond to absolute emergencies. I'm not sure if they have done it before??

Not true.

Joe down the street reports his car stolen.
In real life the cops visit him, ask a few questions and make a report on the stolen vehicle. Let's say it takes a couple of hours all in.

Working to rule would be as follows:
Joe reports his car stolen. Cops arrive and take statements, etc. Then they carry out door to door enquiries of his neighbours asking if they saw anything and taking statements from all the neighbours. Let's say that takes several hours.

Same applies if someone reports vandalism, missing pet, loitering youths, anti social behaviour etc etc.

THe cops become bogged down in paperwork and no "real work" is done.

That's just an example but it's from a former cop of around 25years.

aytch

Andy_L wrote: »

I believe, in line with the rest of the Public Sector (except the Civil Service for some wierd reason), when they say 2.5% that's in addition to their annual career progression increment.

nope, alot don't get an annual career progression, there are a limited number of progressions, not all qualify.

Middlers

I too am heartened by the responses so far. For me the issue is not the money but the fact that the government have reneged on an agreement. I for one will be attending a rally later this month for which I have had to take a days leave - I don't expect we will get the right decision however I will feel better having vented my anger.

Clive_Woody

jeanpiehl wrote: »

While I think every worker has a right to strike over grievances, essential services are essential for a reason. Maybe Police can have some kind of limited striking rights like as having to perform basic duties only?

Perhaps have a week off the speed cameras, that'll hit em in the pocket and the coppers can spend some time doing Police work for a bit of a change.....




......that's meant as a joke before all the resident Police folk start ranting at me, I think you lot have been very badly treated.

Primrose

No, I don't think the Police should have the right to strike. But yes, if an Independent Authority has recommended a pay award for them, I think the government should honour it. The police, like many other government-employed staff enjoy the benefit of a now almost unique final salary index linked pension scheme which for time indefinitely into the future is going to cost all of us taxpayers billions of pounds to fund when very few of us are enjoying a similar benefit ourselves. That alone takes the moral high ground away from under their feet. The harsh reality of this economic world is that nobody should be enjoying a public-funded indexed linked pension scheme. If people want a scheme like that they should be paying the contributions to fully fund it themselves. So whilst the police may feel aggrieved, I don't think morally they have a water-tight case for complaining.