Pay talks to resume next week as Scottish police officers 'withdraw goodwill'
Officers will begin a work to rule at 5pm
The Scottish Government's moved to reopen pay talks with police officers ahead of the "most overt demonstration of action" in more than 100 years when they withdrawl their "goodwill" later today.
Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents officers, told Forth 1 News he received the offer of fresh negotiations ahead of the action kicking in at 5pm.
"Shortly after First Minister's Questions I received communications from the official side. While not containing a formal improved offer it provided enough confidence for us to get back round the negotiating table, and those will recommence on Monday afternoon.
"Until we get to the situation that this dispute is resolved the withdrawal of goodwill by police officers will continue, and very clearly that's been an important factor, I believe, in forcing the official side to come back to us."
Work to rule
While officers in Scotland are prohibited by law from taking industrial action, withdrawing goodwill will show "significant discontent" Mr Steele said.
The action means officers will not start their shifts early or take radio equipment home when their duty ends.
The union's governing body, the Joint Central Committee (JCC), had previously rejected a "derisory" offer of a £564 pay increase.
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'Utter contempt' for pay offer
In a letter to Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, Mr Steele said the action being taken was a "manifestation of the strength of feeling of our members of the utter contempt this pay offer represents to them".
He told Mr Livingstone: "It will not be lost on you that this is the most significant discontent in the police service since the 1970s, and the most overt demonstration of action by our members in over 100 years."
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Force chiefs committed to getting a deal
A Police Scotland spokesperson stressed that the force remained committed to seeking a settlement.
They said: "We recognise the considerable goodwill officers bring to their roles on a daily basis as they keep people safe across the country, and this is also valued by the communities they serve."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged those involved to "work together constructively" in order that a "fair and affordable pay increase can be agreed".
She added: "Our police officers do deserve it and we will continue to value policing and give it the priority it deserves."
Pressed on the issue in Holyrood on Thursday, she said that Justice Secretary Keith Brown had had "constructive" discussions with the SPF in recent days.