Metropolitan Police Civilian Staff Commence Two-Week Strike Over Attendance Policy

More than 300 civilian employees protest new flexible working rules amid concerns over pay and conditions.

More than 300 civilian workers at the Metropolitan Police Service (Met) have initiated a two-week strike in response to a dispute regarding a new attendance policy tied to flexible working arrangements.

The industrial action commenced on [insert start date of the strike] and involves staff from the referencing and vetting team, who have expressed concerns over threatened pay deductions associated with non-compliance with the policy.

The new attendance policy has mandated additional in-office days that the staff have deemed unnecessary.

In statements from union representatives, Matt Cane, General Secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation representing 30,000 rank-and-file officers, remarked on the irony of the strike, noting the diligent efforts of officers who maintain public safety around the clock in London.

Fran Heathcote, General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), articulated that the staff’s anger stems from a perceived lack of respect and oversight from management.

Heathcote stated, "If their pay will be docked when they’re not on strike, they feel they might as well lose pay by walking out.” The union emphasized the need for management to engage in discussions to address the concerns surrounding the new attendance policy.

In reaction, the Metropolitan Police issued a statement confirming that contingency plans are in place to mitigate the impact of the strike on frontline services, asserting that public safety will not be compromised.

A spokesperson for the Met expressed disappointment regarding the decision of the PCS to strike, reiterating the commitment of the organization to engage with trade unions and staff to resolve the ongoing dispute.

The statement outlined that discussions regarding the hybrid working policy had been ongoing for over a year, with the intention to allow staff to work from home up to two days per week while maintaining operational effectiveness.

The Met emphasized that the majority of their staff are adhering to the new policy and that only a small percentage of the workforce, specifically from the vetting and referencing teams, are participating in the strike.

Additionally, the vetting team has been highlighted as a crucial component in the aftermath of high-profile incidents that have affected public trust in the Metropolitan Police, notably including the murder of Sarah Everard by a former officer.

The role of the vetting team is now seen as integral to restoring confidence among the public in the police service.

As the situation develops, the Met has committed to monitoring the strike's impact to ensure minimal disruption to its services and to the community it serves.