Perseverance pays off

Members working for police forces in England and Wales have today (February 13) backed an improved pay offer in a ballot.

 
Civilian staff, including 999 call handlers, scene of crime officers, police community support officers and custody officers, accepted the revised pay offer of 2.2 per cent, or ÂŁ400, whichever is greater, by 92 per cent.

 
The workers who have borne the brunt of the coalition’s police cuts had been offered a one per cent pay rise, but received an improved offer after a threatened strike in January.

 
“Our members play a vital role in protecting the public and have been at the sharp of the coalition government’s police cuts,” said Unite national officer Fiona Farmer.

 
“Quite rightly they viewed a one per cent pay rise as an insult which would do nothing to address poverty pay or tackle plummeting pay levels. It is testament to their resolve that we were able to achieve an improved pay offer,” she added.

 
“Going forward, we hope the employers will work with us to ensure we tackle poverty pay in our police forces and avoid the prospect of strike action in future years.”