Great start to MOPAC strike action
There was a well-supported picket line in London on the first day of the four-day walkout.
PCS members working at the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) are taking strike action from 12 – 15 January in their dispute over pay.
There were over 70 strikers and supporters on the picket line this morning singing and doing Mexican waves, representing MOPAC staff from a range of different grades.
The picket line received lots of support from the public and also from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The MOPAC offices at 169 Union Street is also the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade and some FBU members said they would let their managers know that they refuse to cross a PCS picket line.
The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) were meeting today in the building so will have heard the noise and seen the pickets. Sadiq Khan has been speaking out today about London's crime rate being reduced this year - one of the best years ever. Our members in the VRU and across MOPAC would have played a significant part in this success, yet were only being offered a 2% pay increase while the mayor and his deputies received 3.2%.
The strike action is also creating momentum amongst MOPAC staff who are not yet members. Several non-members said they were considering joining PCS so that they could join the strike.
Picket lines will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8- 11:00am at 169 Union Street London SE1 0LL (Southwark, London Bridge, Waterloo East and Borough stations).
Thursday’s rally
There will be a rally outside City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London E16 1ZE on Thursday from 9am. Speakers will include PCS national president Martin Cavanagh, MOPAC branch members, Met Police members (who are themselves on strike on Thursday and other supporters.
The rally will take place as the mayor of London holds his first question time, which will also be attended by London Assembly members. PCS has written to Sadiq Khan about the dispute but have not had a response.