IOPC members show faith in ongoing negotiations

PCS members at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have sent a clear message of confidence in their reps by choosing not to extend the industrial action mandate in a ballot that closed on 22 September.

This decision reflects growing trust in the ongoing negotiations, which have already delivered meaningful improvements to working conditions. However the high “yes” vote (89% on a 40% turnout) does mean members are watching carefully that management follow through on commitments made.

The recent ballot followed a period of industrial action that led to several key wins:

• A new stand-alone disability policy, negotiated in collaboration with PCS and ACAS, now being reviewed by the IOPC’s disability staff network. The policy adopts the social model of disability, ensures paid time off for disability-related appointments and sick leave, and introduces greater flexibility for disabled staff.
• A hybrid working policy that sets a 40% mandatory office attendance, while giving frontline managers discretion to offer additional home-working flexibility for those with caring responsibilities or health and wellbeing needs.
• Increased PCS membership across IOPC's national branch.

There is a strong sense of optimism in the ongoing talks and members are backing the constructive approach taken by PCS reps, whose negotiations have already led to tangible, positive changes.

It is hoped that the threat of more industrial action is no longer required, although 90% of the 40% of members who voted did say that they were willing to take further action if management don’t follow through on commitments made in negotiations.