Mr X
2006-09-06 13:05:06 UTC
Police threaten action over pay
We won't carry our guns, warn armed officers
Jamie Doward, home affairs editor
Sunday September 3, 2006
The Observer
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1863762,00.html
Britain's 170,000 police officers could soon begin a work-to-rule that
would severely effect the force's ability to combat crime. The threat,
by the Police Federation, the body that represents rank and file
officers, would see police refusing to carry firearms, drive police cars
above the speed limit, carry riot shields or attend public order
training programmes.
The work-to-rule is being planned in response to the government's
decision not to award an index-linked pay rise to the police for the
first time in almost 30 years. The Police Federation of England and
Wales said its members would look to register their anger by refusing to
carry out anything other than their core tasks.
'There are a number of things that officers do voluntarily, such as
carrying firearms,' said Alan Gordon, the federation's vice-chairman.
'The police only operates as efficiently as it does due to the goodwill
of the officers. If that goodwill is withdrawn, then it creates severe
operational difficulties. Working to rule would cripple the service.'
The federation will also hold rallies across the country, including a
possible march on the Labour party conference, a prospect that will
alarm ministers attempting to boost the government's flagging fortunes
in the polls.
The decision not to give police an index-linked rise has shocked rank
and file police officers. They are barred by law from striking, a
formula established in 1979, but thought they were guaranteed rises
based on an index of awards to other public sector workers.
But for the first time in living memory, the Home Office has declined to
approve a pay rise - which was expected to be 3 per cent pay this year -
despite pledging last October that it would do so. Instead the Home
Office is believed to have offered 2 per cent. Police negotiators are
furious at what they claim is a betrayal of promises which appears to be
linked to attempts by the government to curtail public sector pay
increases. The Home Office, like all government departments, is being
ordered by the Treasury to make efficiency savings and wants to
negotiate a new deal with the police.
The extent of police officers' anger is revealed in the current edition
of Police magazine, published by the federation. 'Reneging on a 27-year
pay deal and pinching coppers from coppers may yet make you the most
unpopular Prime Minister this country never had,' it warns Gordon Brown
in an editorial.
'Chief police officers are facing stark choices,' Alan Gordon said.
'Either you start reducing the numbers of police officers or you reduce
police pay increases. This is a critical time.'
The matter will now go to arbitration. But the room for manoeuvre for
Home Secretary John Reid is limited. Agreeing to an increased offer
would risk a feud with the Treasury.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wonder how long it will take for the Government to cave in to
blackmail this time?
We won't carry our guns, warn armed officers
Jamie Doward, home affairs editor
Sunday September 3, 2006
The Observer
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1863762,00.html
Britain's 170,000 police officers could soon begin a work-to-rule that
would severely effect the force's ability to combat crime. The threat,
by the Police Federation, the body that represents rank and file
officers, would see police refusing to carry firearms, drive police cars
above the speed limit, carry riot shields or attend public order
training programmes.
The work-to-rule is being planned in response to the government's
decision not to award an index-linked pay rise to the police for the
first time in almost 30 years. The Police Federation of England and
Wales said its members would look to register their anger by refusing to
carry out anything other than their core tasks.
'There are a number of things that officers do voluntarily, such as
carrying firearms,' said Alan Gordon, the federation's vice-chairman.
'The police only operates as efficiently as it does due to the goodwill
of the officers. If that goodwill is withdrawn, then it creates severe
operational difficulties. Working to rule would cripple the service.'
The federation will also hold rallies across the country, including a
possible march on the Labour party conference, a prospect that will
alarm ministers attempting to boost the government's flagging fortunes
in the polls.
The decision not to give police an index-linked rise has shocked rank
and file police officers. They are barred by law from striking, a
formula established in 1979, but thought they were guaranteed rises
based on an index of awards to other public sector workers.
But for the first time in living memory, the Home Office has declined to
approve a pay rise - which was expected to be 3 per cent pay this year -
despite pledging last October that it would do so. Instead the Home
Office is believed to have offered 2 per cent. Police negotiators are
furious at what they claim is a betrayal of promises which appears to be
linked to attempts by the government to curtail public sector pay
increases. The Home Office, like all government departments, is being
ordered by the Treasury to make efficiency savings and wants to
negotiate a new deal with the police.
The extent of police officers' anger is revealed in the current edition
of Police magazine, published by the federation. 'Reneging on a 27-year
pay deal and pinching coppers from coppers may yet make you the most
unpopular Prime Minister this country never had,' it warns Gordon Brown
in an editorial.
'Chief police officers are facing stark choices,' Alan Gordon said.
'Either you start reducing the numbers of police officers or you reduce
police pay increases. This is a critical time.'
The matter will now go to arbitration. But the room for manoeuvre for
Home Secretary John Reid is limited. Agreeing to an increased offer
would risk a feud with the Treasury.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wonder how long it will take for the Government to cave in to
blackmail this time?
--
Mr X
Mr X