Met Police workers vote for first ever strike

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members working for the Metropolitan Police have voted for strike action after being ordered back to the office in the New Year.

It is the first time Met Police employees have ever voted for industrial action and shows the depth of workers’ feeling after managers reneged on a deal – blended working – that allowed them to work from home part of the week.

Depending on where they work, the increase in office attendance is from 40% to 60%, from 60% to 80% or from 80% to 100%. The new edict affects 2,400 civilians who support the day-to-day work of police officers, but disproportionately impacts women, part-time workers and those with disabilities.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our members are not bobbies on the beat. They are desk-based civilians who work from home just as productively as if they were in the office, but without the stress and cost of a daily commute.

“It’s time politicians and the right-wing media stopped their obsession with telling people where they have to work and started listening to the evidence of academics, employers and employees that shows working from home is a perfectly viable option for many people.”

PCS members working at the Office of National Statistics have already voted for strike action over compulsory office attendance. Members at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are campaigning for a four-day week after research showed it could deliver £20m+ savings a year. Members at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are also campaigning for a four-day week.

ends