Hundreds of Met Police Civilian Staff Strike for Flexible Working Rights
Over 300 Metropolitan Police civilian workers are on strike for two weeks. They demand better flexible working conditions after facing threats of pay cuts from management.
London, Metropolitan Police, Strike, Flexible Working, Public Services
London: More than 300 civilian workers at the Metropolitan Police are striking. They’re unhappy about new rules on flexible working.
The staff in the referencing and vetting team were told their pay might be cut. This was if they didn’t follow a new attendance policy that they didn’t agree with.
They wanted to keep working from home, but management expected them in the office. The Public and Commercial Services union is backing their decision to strike.
These workers feel the extra days in the office are unnecessary. Matt Cane, from the Police Federation, pointed out the irony of the situation.
He mentioned that officers are out there keeping London safe every day. Meanwhile, the staff feel disrespected and ignored by their bosses.
Fran Heathcote, the PCS general secretary, expressed their anger. She said if their pay is going to be docked anyway, they might as well strike.
She urged Met managers to listen to their concerns. The Met has said they have plans in place to handle the strike without affecting frontline services.
A spokesperson for the Met expressed disappointment over the strike. They emphasized their commitment to working with trade unions to resolve the issue.
They’ve been discussing the new hybrid working policy for over a year. This policy aims to balance service to London with staff flexibility.
Most staff are following the new policy, but a small group is striking. The Met reassured the public that essential services would remain unaffected.
In light of recent scandals, the vetting team plays a vital role in rebuilding trust. The situation is being monitored closely to minimize disruption.