Menu
13/12/2007
Police To Ballot On Right To Strike
The unthinkable is being considered by local police officers – they are about to ballot on regaining the right to take strike action – so frustrated are they over an ongoing nationwide pay dispute between the UK's police and the Government.
The Police Federation in Northern Ireland meets today to discuss the growing nationwide unease on the issue which led to an unprecedented call for the Home Secretary's resignation, so bitter has the pay row become.
Now police officers in Britain are to take part in a historic vote on whether they want to seek the right to go on strike.
Terry Spence of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland said a meeting would be held today in Belfast to discuss the matter.
As a result of that meeting we will decide what course of action we're going to take next," said Mr Spence.
"I would anticipate that there will be a ballot, I would anticipate that we will take part in a major demonstration in London in early January, I do anticipate that we will lobby MPs and politicians of influence across the United Kingdom on this particularly sensitive issue."
Yesterday's moves intensified pressure on the Government, which has steadfastly refused to back down in the angry row, triggered by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's decision to stage – rather than pay-out - their agreed 2.5% pay deal.
The officers insist that a refusal to backdate payments effectively brings the pay award to less than 2%, (1.9%) and insist that trust has been lost, and the whole national pay negotiation mechanism thrown into crisis.
Following an emergency meeting of hundreds of delegates in Westminster, officers backed a formal ballot on whether they should begin to overturn current laws banning them from industrial action.
(BMcC)
The Police Federation in Northern Ireland meets today to discuss the growing nationwide unease on the issue which led to an unprecedented call for the Home Secretary's resignation, so bitter has the pay row become.
Now police officers in Britain are to take part in a historic vote on whether they want to seek the right to go on strike.
Terry Spence of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland said a meeting would be held today in Belfast to discuss the matter.
As a result of that meeting we will decide what course of action we're going to take next," said Mr Spence.
"I would anticipate that there will be a ballot, I would anticipate that we will take part in a major demonstration in London in early January, I do anticipate that we will lobby MPs and politicians of influence across the United Kingdom on this particularly sensitive issue."
Yesterday's moves intensified pressure on the Government, which has steadfastly refused to back down in the angry row, triggered by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's decision to stage – rather than pay-out - their agreed 2.5% pay deal.
The officers insist that a refusal to backdate payments effectively brings the pay award to less than 2%, (1.9%) and insist that trust has been lost, and the whole national pay negotiation mechanism thrown into crisis.
Following an emergency meeting of hundreds of delegates in Westminster, officers backed a formal ballot on whether they should begin to overturn current laws banning them from industrial action.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
21 May 2008
Police Vote For Right To Strike
Police officers in Northern Ireland would follow the lead of fellow officers in England and Wales over possible strike action on pay.
Police Vote For Right To Strike
Police officers in Northern Ireland would follow the lead of fellow officers in England and Wales over possible strike action on pay.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
04 September 2009
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, most persistent and occasionally heavy across southern and western counties this afternoon. Risk of low cloud and fog patches affecting the Down coast. Light winds. Maximum temperature 15 °C.Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south overnight. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
