Unison brands review ‘blatantly unfair’ on staff

Unison, the UK’s largest union, has criticised the recommendations put forward in the Winsor Review affecting police staff, while the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales (PSAEW) and the Association of Police Authorities (APA) has called for careful consideration.

Unison described the proposals laid out in the review as “blatantly unfair” for doing little for police staff bearing the brunt of cuts, while maintaining police officers’ no compulsory redundancy deal and awarding officers extra allowances.

The union said that police officers may also lose some allowances, but they will remain immune from redundancy and get a new ten per cent shift allowance, a new standby allowance and a new £1,200 professional accreditation allowance.

Ben Priestley, national officer for Unison, said: “Hardworking police staff are bearing the brunt of the cuts, while police officers are being offered job protection and extra allowances.

“Our members are part of the team and should have the same protections as police officers if they are asked to cut their take home pay – that’s only fair.

“We are shocked by the lack of balance and at the moment it looks like there is no deal on the table that our members would sign up for.”

Meanwhile, the PSAEW said that it is inevitable that there will be some dissatisfaction with the review and there will be some winners and losers.

Derek Barnett, president of the PSAEW, said: “It is important now that we take the opportunity to reflect on the huge amount of detail.”

The APA added that it is ready for the challenges that lay ahead.

Chairman Rob Garnham said: “We have been fully engaged with Tom Winsor’s review, alongside other partners, and have consistently sought to base often emotive debates on a clear evidence base about what’s best for both the police and the public who pay.”