Unions withdraw from Police Scotland talks amid budget row
Unions have withdrawn from talks with Police Scotland in protest over claims that the force is ``refusing to discuss'' proposals to close a £20 million budget gap.
Unions have withdrawn from talks with Police Scotland in protest over claims that the force is refusing to discuss'' proposals to close a £20 million budget gap.
Unison claims the force has an unacceptable'' plan to cut a further 81 civilian police jobs to help balance the books on top of thousands of job losses since the creation of the single force three years ago.
The union claims it has had no response to a pay claim since August, no discussion of planned department restructuring and has been waiting since April for an update on plans to deal with the £20 million budget gap facing the force.
Unison claimed members have had no engagement'' on the estates strategy Police Scotland is currently consulting on which places 58 police stations under threat of closure.
Unison, GMB and Unite refused to attend Police Scotland's Joint Negotiation and Consultative Committee (JNCC) on Thursday in protest.
The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) said a meeting has been rescheduled for the end of November with an up-to-date budget overview to be presented.
Gerry Crawley, Unite's regional organiser for police staff, said: How are we all supposed to find solutions to these big problems when Police Scotland will not even discuss them with us?
Once again, they are proposing to cut police staff jobs to balance the books. The latest proposal is to shed 81 more jobs. It is unacceptable. Especially as they are unable to show us a business plan or that it would even save money in the long run.
Our members have witnessed around 2,000 jobs losses since April 2013. We cannot go on like this. We need to sit down and discuss the future of policing in Scotland including jobs, pay and conditions, and budgets so staff can get on with what they do best, protecting the Scottish public from crime.''
John Foley, SPA chief executive, said: The SPA is working closely with Police Scotland to consider and respond to the claims and issues raised by the trade unions.
An alternative date for today's JNCC meeting has been proposed for week commencing November 21. This rescheduled date also allows for an up-to-date budget overview to be presented."