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STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN OF POLICE FEDERATION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND REGARDING PAY NEGOTIATIONS
27th JULY 2007
UK Governments face fight with police for fair pay
Government's praise of police officers is short lived as the Official Side fail to offer police a fair pay increase
All talk and no action is the message coming out loud and clear from the new government today as police officers were told they would not be awarded a fair police pay award this year, with a mere 2.325% being offered as compensation for putting their lives on the line every day.
Terry Spence, Chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland advised that police officers had rejected this offer and said:
"Despite the increasing threat and reality of terrorist activity and the vital role police officers recently played to save life and property during the recent floods, the government is on course for an all out war with the UK's 170,000 officers. We're not being greedy; all we want is a fair pay deal to reflect the increasing dangers we face.
Since the 1978 Edmund-Davies review police pay arrangements have sought to reflect the limited employment rights afforded to officers; police are prohibited from taking any form of industrial action, the fact they are accountable for their actions on and off duty and the mounting dangers posed by terrorism which was demonstrated as recently as Saturday 21st July 2007 when a police officer was shot in the back by terrorists whilst trying to protect the community he has served for over 30 years."
Following a battle last year the government broke away from a 28 year old agreement which ensured fair pay for police resulted in nearly three decades of harmonious industrial relations. This year the employer side of the Police Negotiating Board were told to look only at the recommendations put forward by the government stalwart, Sir Clive Booth, who has clearly failed to take into account the dangers officers face, the restrictions on their public and private lives and their inability to take industrial action.
Jan Berry, Chairman of PNB Staff Side said:
"It's ironic that only weeks ago, whilst addressing the Association of Chief Police Officers, Gordon Brown praised the efforts and hard work of police officers and paid tribute to the dangerous and challenging role officers today face in the fight against terrorism and cross-border crimes. He said 'There is no greater responsibility than that which you as police officers accept… It is clear why we as a government have a duty to provide you with the support and protection to back you in what you have to do and be there for you - because you are always there for us.' Fine words Mr Brown, but the reality is a slap in the face when it comes to fair pay for the officers out there running from one job to another and facing unknown dangers and threats every day.
What angers me, is that from the Home Affairs Select Committee report out last week it appears financial mismanagement by the government, police authorities and chief officers is now being taken out on the 170,000 frontline police officers throughout the UK who put their lives on the line every day, who battle bravely to safeguard people and property and who disregard their own safety in the fight against terror.
It is these very officers who are now having to fight for a fair pay formula that takes account of the fact they are accountable for their actions and inactions 24/7 and would face imprisonment if they took industrial action; this is one battle we shouldn't have to fight.
We have new governments throughout the UK, and many people who were not involved with the decision to impose Sir Clive Booth's recommendations which suppress police pay. It's not too late for them to stand up for British policing and ensure that officers receive a fair pay award. We are ready and willing to talk."
