Met Police members to strike on 5 November

PCS members are taking action over their employer’s refusal to pay them a London cost-of-living payment.

Our members working as civilian police staff in the Met Police will take strike action on 5 November as part of their dispute over the Met’s refusal to pay them a £1250 consolidated allowance to meet the cost of living in London, that was paid to police officers.

Unlike police officers, our members do not receive free travel and are paid less for the same shifts. In many cases, our members and police officers are working side by side doing the same jobs. And the cost of living in London remains the same for police officers and staff alike.

Met Police members are also in dispute with management over a mandated return to offices and in January, members took industrial action by refusing to comply with the imposed policy, while continuing to work from home. The Met responded by threatening to dock pay for every day members didn’t attend the office when management demanded it. PCS reps continue to support members with disabilities and caring responsibilities who have been negatively affected by the employer’s decisions.

Two-tier system

PCS member Richard said: “I have decided to withdraw my labour in response to the continued lack of respect shown towards police staff in relation to the London allowance. It is deeply disappointing to be told that our work does not justify pay parity with my PC colleague sitting next to me. This, combined with the news that police staff are allocated only a 2% budget for police staff budget for pay increases while officer colleagues have been given a 4.2% pay rise, highlights a clear two-tier system in how police staff are valued against officers.”

David Parrock, PCS Met Police Group President said: “We’ve made it clear to management that we’re ready to sit down and discuss our proposals, but so far they’ve refused. Our members have been left with no choice but to take strike action. We believe in one Metropolitan Police Service, yet right now it feels like a two-tier system – and our members simply ask to be treated with the fairness and respect they deserve.”

Support the strikers

Picket lines will be held from 7-10am on 5 November at:

  • Peel Centre, Aeodrome Road NW9 5JE
  • Lambeth HQ building, 109 Lambeth Road SE1 7JL
  • Marlowe House, 109 Station Road, Sidcup DA15 7ES
  • New Scotland Yard, Victoria Embankment, Westminster SW1A 2JL
  • MetCC Bow, 2A Wellington Way E3 4NE (starts at 6am)

There will be a rally at 11am at New Scotland Yard, to be addressed by PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote.