Met police civilian staff to strike in dispute over office working

A sign outside New Scotland Yard
-Credit:PA Archive/PA Images


Civilian staff working for the Metropolitan Police are to strike for two weeks in an escalating row over office working. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said more than 300 of its members will walk out from February 4-17.

The workers had voted to take action short of a strike, refusing to return to the office for additional days they said were unnecessary. The union said senior managers threatened to dock their pay as if they were taking full strike action.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “This hardline approach by Met Police managers has been completely counter-productive, effectively escalating the dispute. Our members take their jobs very seriously and didn’t want to disrupt the important work they do, but now they feel their hands have been forced, because if they’ll lose pay when they’re not striking, they felt they might as well lose pay for striking.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Met Police civilian workers begin two-week strike over flexible working

READ MORE: Shepherds Bush traffic live updates as 'serious' crash closes busy road after driver flees

“Instead of pouring fuel on the fire by punishing our members for exercising their democratic right to take industrial action, managers should talk to us and try to resolve the issue.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are disappointed the PCS feels such action is necessary and we remain committed to continuing to engage with the trade unions to resolve the dispute.

“We have been engaging with our staff and the trade unions for more than a year on our new hybrid working policy which will ensure we can continue to do our very best to serve London, whilst giving support staff the flexibility to work from home up to two days per week. Given the likely small numbers involved, we are confident that this won’t affect policing in London.

ADVERTISEMENT

"However we shall continue to monitor this developing situation in order to minimise any disruption to the Met and the people it serves.”

Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.