Dear Chief Constable Farrell
PAY DISPUTE
I am writing on behalf of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) to formally express our position regarding the ongoing pay dispute and to outline the measures we have adopted in response to the current situation, as the Official Side and Staff Side seek conciliation.
The challenges facing our members have become increasingly severe, with unprecedented reductions in the number of superintending ranks, placing unsustainable demands on those who remain. We are aware of posts going unfilled in many areas. As you heard from our President at our Centenary Conference earlier this year, our survey of the membership reveals that 97% of our members are working well beyond the regulated 40-hour week of whom 80% reported increased workloads and 70% highlighted a significant deterioration in their work-life balance. Additionally, I know you are aware the additional financial burdens of increased tax liabilities and interest charges linked to the Pensions Remedy, a matter subject to a further dispute, which further adds to their financial and personal stress.
We acknowledge the Official Side’s recent pay offer of 4.75% but we believe it falls short of what is fair and reasonable and fails to recognise the unique and personally restrictive factors of serving in the police. In the spirit of negotiation and reaching agreement, the Staff Side reduced its claim to 5.5%, a compromise we believe is both fair and reasonable. We simply seek parity with our colleagues in the Scottish NHS (5.5% pay rise agreed), a benchmark that reflects the comparable responsibilities and risks we face daily. The disparity is particularly concerning given that all Chief Constables in England and Wales had supported a 6% pay rise for their officers. Our members have been left questioning why they are not viewed as deserving of the same consideration within Scotland.
We note the communications with officers published the Police Scotland intranet, on Friday 8 November. The Staff Side, having entered conciliation in good faith, are disappointed that the Official Side has already taken the stance that a resolution cannot be found and implemented by December. Police Scotland officers should be clear that this is not due to a lack of willing on the Staff Side.
In light of these concerns, and with a duty to protect the wellbeing of our members, ASPS has advised superintendents and chief superintendents to adhere to their core duty hours of 08.00 -16.00h, as specified in the Superintending Rank’s Workforce Agreement. This guidance applies unless they are dealing with live operational circumstances, fulfilling an on-call function, or have agreed to altered duty hours, with a period of notice stipulated in the Workforce Agreement. This decision was not taken lightly; it is a measure that has become necessary to safeguard the health and resilience of our members.
In support of the implementation of this approach, it is our intention to write to our public sector partners advising of this advice and request their cooperation in limiting communications with our members to regular business hours during this dispute. However, we are prepared to pause this communication until later in December in the sincere and genuine hope that meaningful progress in conciliation can be made.
Our Association deeply values our partnerships, and we remain committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism and service throughout this difficult period which is uncomfortable for us all. It is our sincere hope that an appropriate and fair resolution will be swiftly found, allowing normal posture to be restored. We recognise, however, that
this now lies entirely in the hands of the Official Side, and Scottish Government in particular, and in good faith we urge you to impress upon Ministers the gravity of this dispute and its deleterious impacts upon public trust and confidence in policing.
Chief Constable, we are at a critical juncture, with our colleagues in the Scottish Police Federation having withdrawn the goodwill factor so essential to the smooth and effective running of the Service. This directly affects our members who are the operational commanders and leaders charged with delivering effective policing services. As such, I must emphasise that the challenges and frustrations of our members are escalating, and we are seeing the toll this prolonged situation is taking on the mental and physical wellbeing of our members, with sickness absences now arising. We trust that the Official Side will recognise the gravity and unprecedented nature of our concerns, and work with us to reach a resolution that reflects the unstinting commitment and sacrifices our members make daily.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and both I and our President would welcome the opportunity to discuss any aspect of our position further.
Yours sincerely
Stewart Carle
General Secretary