By Gemma Fraser
Head of content
The ‘goodwill’ provided by police officers in Scotland who start work 15 minutes early each shift is the equivalent of around 50 hours per year, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) claims.
As the pay dispute continues, the SPF highlighted that withdrawing goodwill could end up costing the police service significantly more than the salary rise it is seeking, which amounts to around 20 hours per year.
The organisation, which represents 98 per cent of police officers in Scotland, is now planning to take legal action to claim back the overtime for officers.
1919 understands that, if successful, this could be backdated five years.
In a briefing to members, SPF general secretary David Kennedy thanked officers for continuing to withdraw goodwill, which involves measures such as refusing to start shifts early, claiming payments for overtime, and not taking personal protective equipment (PPE) home at the end of the day.
He wrote: “We know how much pain this can cause you, however it is goodwill that keeps the service afloat, and it’s your goodwill that helps Police Scotland, the SPA [Scottish Police Authority] and the Scottish Government financially cope every year.
“By arriving early for work and arriving early at your place of work to put on your uniform, protective equipment, PAVA spray and police radio is at your goodwill.
“This 15 minutes of goodwill is worth at least 50 hours of paid overtime a year.
“We have simply had enough of being treated poorly in regard to our pay and conditions”
David Kennedy, SPF general secretary
“The ‘official side’ are refusing to up your pay offer which equates on average to 20 hours of basic pay a year.
“We will be raising legal claims regarding the 15 minutes overtime, and I will be sending out instructions on this claim in the coming weeks.”
He added: “We have simply had enough of being treated poorly in regard to our pay and conditions.”
Pay negotiations are now heading towards arbitration. Last month, officers staged a protest (pictured above) outside an SPA board meeting in Glasgow.
The staff side, which represents police officers in Scotland, is looking for a 5.5 per cent pay increase.
An offer of 4.75 per cent from the official side – made up of Scottish ministers, the SPA and Police Scotland – was rejected in October and a decision to withdraw goodwill was subsequently made.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Our officers work tirelessly every day to keep people safe across the country and it is right that their public service is recognised and rewarded.
“We therefore remain committed to achieving a fair outcome.
“Formal processes are under way to seek an agreement with officers via the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland, which is independently led and involves the Scottish Government, the SPA and Police Scotland.”