Scottish superintendents advised to work only ‘core hours’ over pay dispute
The general secretary of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) has written to Chief Constable Jo Farrell stating that its members will work only their “core duty hours” of 8am to 4pm in protest over the 4.75 per cent pay offer and “unsustainable demands” on officers.
Stewart Carle said the Official Side’s recent pay offer falls short of what is “fair and reasonable” and fails to recognise the “unique and personally restrictive factors of serving in the police”.
“The challenges facing our members have become increasingly severe, with unprecedented reductions in the number of superintending ranks, placing unsustainable demands on those who remain,” he said.
“We acknowledge the Official Side’s recent pay offer of 4.75 per cent but we believe it falls short of what is fair and reasonable and fails to recognise the unique and personally restrictive factors of serving in the police.
“In the spirit of negotiation and reaching agreement, the Staff Side reduced its claim to 5.5 per cent, a compromise we believe is both fair and reasonable.
“We simply seek parity with our colleagues in the Scottish NHS (5.5 per cent pay rise agreed), a benchmark that reflects the comparable responsibilities and risks we face daily.
“The disparity is particularly concerning given that all chief constables in England and Wales had supported a six per cent pay rise for their officers. Our members have been left questioning why they are not viewed as deserving of the same consideration within Scotland.”
In his letter to the Police Scotland chief constable, Mr Carle said: “In light of these concerns, and with a duty to protect the wellbeing of our members, ASPS has advised superintendents and chief superintendents to adhere to their core duty hours of 8am-4pm, as specified in the Superintending Rank’s Workforce Agreement.
“This guidance applies unless they are dealing with live operational circumstances, fulfilling an on-call function, or have agreed to altered duty hours, with a period of notice stipulated in the Workforce Agreement.
“This decision was not taken lightly; it is a measure that has become necessary to safeguard the health and resilience of our members.”
Mr Carle said the ASPS intends to write to public sector partners advising them of its approach and requesting their cooperation in “limiting communications with our members to regular business hours during this dispute”.
However, Mr Carle said they are prepared to pause this communication until later in December in the “sincere and genuine hope that meaningful progress in conciliation can be made”.
In his letter he said: “Chief Constable, we are at a critical juncture, with our colleagues in the Scottish Police Federation having withdrawn the goodwill factor so essential to the smooth and effective running of the service. This directly affects our members who are the operational commanders and leaders charged with delivering effective policing services.
“As such, I must emphasise that the challenges and frustrations of our members are escalating, and we are seeing the toll this prolonged situation is taking on the mental and physical wellbeing of our members, with sickness absences now arising.
“We trust that the Official Side will recognise the gravity and unprecedented nature of our concerns, and work with us to reach a resolution that reflects the unstinting commitment and sacrifices our members make daily.”