Police Scotland staff to hold a ballot on strike action

Police staff in Scotland are to ballot on strike action after relations between the force and trade unions have broken down. On top of existing job losses, members have been hit by plans to close four 999 centres, cuts in redundancy terms and and annual leave restrictions due to the Commonwealth Games. UNISON has long warned that the Scottish Government claim of 1,000 extra police is a sham as staff jobs are cut and police officers are used to backfill them.

UNISON has been trying to discuss these important issues with Police Scotland for over a year. George McIrvine, secretary of UNISON police staff scotland branch said:  “Our members across Scotland are telling us loud and clear that enough is enough. The employer have given us no choice. They are not providing the unions with answers to reasonable questions which we have consistently raised for many months now.”

Gerry Crawley, UNISON regional officer said: "The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland need to realise that UNISON members are not prepared to take the brunt of these brutal cuts any longer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26682634 
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2014/marapr/0321a.htm