Scottish Police Federation warns action will be 'escalated' if officers don't get better pay offer
The organisation rejected a 3.4% offer today
The Scottish Police Federation's warning action will be 'escalated' if officers don't receive a better pay offer by next month.
The organisation unanimously rejected a 3.4% pay rise today.
The group warned:
"Unless a further improved offer is received by Friday August 5th the actions of our members in response to this continued dispute will escalate."
Police officers cannot strike, but the 17,500 members of the SPF withdrew 'all goodwill' at the start of the month in response to the pay dispute.
It means officers have, among other things, refused to start shifts early or take radio equipment home when their shift ends.
A federation spokesman said:
"Police officers should not be in a position where Government values police offers less than other sectors and workers.
"The unique role of the police officer should always be reflected in any pay offer. This revised offer, like it's predecessor, fails to do so."
In the latest deal rejected by the federation, all pay points for all ranks would see their salaries rise by 3.4%, backdated to April 1.
On Tuesday, officers south of the border were offered a 5% pay rise after the Home Office said it accepted recommendations from the independent police pay review body in full.
Calum Steele, general secretary for the Scottish Police Federation, said the pay deal agreed by Home Secretary Priti Patel was "highly significant" in the ongoing dispute.
He said it was "notable that at every stage of their pay process, all key employer representatives, from the Home Office itself, through to chief constables, advocated for a higher award than the initial starting position of the Scottish official side of the Police Negotiating Board".
A Police Scotland spokesman said:
"We are monitoring the situation in relation to the withdrawal of goodwill.
"We will put arrangements in place to ensure any impact on the public is kept to an absolute minimum.
"We recognise the considerable goodwill officers bring to their roles on a daily basis as they keep people safe across the country, and this is also valued by the communities they serve.
"We therefore remain committed, through the Police Negotiating Board, to seeking a settlement."