Industrial action at Met Police begins
The action comprises a refusal to comply with the employer’s return to the office demands.
From 6 January 2025, PCS members working in the Met Police Service (MPS), will be taking part in industrial action short of strike in their dispute over a return to offices.
PCS members have been working under a Blended Working policy since 2021 which enables managers and their teams to agree on days to be worked in the office and at home. MPS management announced at the end of 2023 that it would replace the Blended Working policy with a new Hybrid Working policy which mandates staff to be in an office workplace for 60% or more.
MPS management have failed to produce any evidence to support why the change is needed and have also failed to consult with any of the trade unions involved.
In December 2024, after PCS served notice of our intention to take industrial action, MPS management responded by threatening to dock members’ pay and take disciplinary action. They also wrote to PCS to say that a Supreme Court ruling stating that trade union members taking industrial action short of strike are protected from detriment under Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights, is not to be applied.
PCS has written to Sir Mark Rowley, the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Service to express our shock that a public body would look to violate its own workers’ human rights and to inform him that we intend to make a formal complaint to the Mayor of London.
PCS is dedicated to resolving this dispute through discussions and has already engaged with ACAS in an effort to facilitate meaningful talks.
Over 700 PCS members attended an online solidarity rally today, with general secretary Fran Heathcote and national president Martin Cavanagh.
Fran said: "This dispute is easy to resolve, if the employer is willing to work with PCS to find an agreed way forward. Our members have demonstrated that their current blended approach works effectively, with a positive impact on productivity. No evidence has been provided to the contrary. To seek to change that approach, with no genuine engagement over the impact that change will have on their own staff, is short-sighted. We urge MPS to now talk to PCS about finding a resolution that benefits everyone."