Vote for strike by police control room staff (From Daily Echo)

Vote for strike by police control room staff

10:40am Saturday 5th July 2008 in

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VITAL Hampshire police control room staff have voted for strike action in a dispute over working practices.

Civilian workers are unhappy about major changes the police want to introduce this month at the control room at Netley, near Southampton.

Around 110 of the 160 civilian personnel are Unison members and were balloted last month.

Of the 69 who voted, 77 per cent were in favour of industrial action including a strike while 83 per cent backed action short of a strike.

Police chiefs say any action would not affect the 999 service or the time taken to respond to emergencies.

Under the proposals, the shift pattern will change from 48 hours over four days to 60 hours over six days. The union says that will cost each worker between £65-90 a month in lost overtime, cause them to lose 38 rest days a year and force them to undertake 76 additional journeys to and from work.

Peter Terry, Unison regional organiser, said: "Sixty-nine votes out a 110 was a good response.

Having more than 80 per cent in favour shows how strongly people feel about being imposed upon and the detriment they will suffer as a result."

The union and police will meet onMonday. Unison must give a week's notice of a strike and take any action within a month of the result of the ballot becoming known.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Readhead said: "All 999 calls will still be answered and the response to emergencies will not be affected."

He added: "We have already prepared contingency plans in order to continue to provide a full emergency response service.

"Nevertheless it's disappointing that some of those Unison members within the control room who cast their vote have decided to vote for industrial action to pursue their interests.

"A strike will not remove the need for the constabulary to implement changes that are believed to have significant benefits.

"The new shift pattern for the control room is already worked by colleagues across much of the force."