Scottish police officers have begun their ‘withdrawal of goodwill’ action in response to an ongoing pay dispute.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) implemented this measure from Friday, 1 November at 17:00, following what they deemed an unsatisfactory pay offer.
The action comes after officers rejected a 5.5% pay increase, which fell short of their requested 8.5% rise.
David Kennedy, the general secretary of the SPF, expressed that the decision was made due to the “utter contempt” the pay offer represents to officers
Whilst police officers in Scotland are legally barred from striking or withdrawing labour, this ‘withdrawal of goodwill’ means they will:
- Stop shifts at their scheduled time
- Not commence work early
- Refrain from taking personal protective equipment or other police items home
- Test all vehicles prior to beginning work
The SPF states this action aims to “safeguard our members’ health and safety”. Officers will continue to work overtime if requested, but will claim payment afterwards.
David Kennedy, the general secretary of the SPF said in a letter to the chief constable, said: “I need to be clear that the formal withdrawal of good-will is not an action the JCC [Joint Central Committee of the SPF] has endorsed lightly.
“It is borne from sheer disappointment and the strength of feeling of our members for the utter contempt this pay offer represents to them.
“Police officers feel totally undervalued by the service, and that has been apparent from the surveys that have taken place in the last six months from both Police Scotland and the SPF.”
As the action continues, its impact on policing across Scotland remains to be seen, with both officers and the public watching closely for any developments in the pay negotiations.
