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Employees of the Metropolitan Police have voted to strike in response to a new policy changes regarding office working arrangements. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) conducted a ballot in which 85% of members voted in favor of strike action, and 91% for action short of a strike, highlighting the depth of feeling amongst staff. The union claims that the changes to the blended working policy disproportionately impacts women, part-time workers, and employees with disabilities.
The policy changes require staff to work in the office for between 60% and 100% of the time, affecting 2,400 people who support the day-to-day work of police officers. The Met Police previously stated that staff need to increase their time in the office to support the front line and improve public trust. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated that the plans would provide consistency across the Met and ensure they can deliver for their communities. Despite the threshold for strike action being met, they urged staff and the union not to take further action.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote emphasized that their members are not police officers but desk-based civilians who can work from home just as productively as in the office, but without the stress and cost of a daily commute. She added that it is time for politicians and the media to listen to the evidence that working from home is a viable and productive option for many people.
This is the first time Met Police employees have voted for industrial action. The upcoming strike provides yet another instance of the impact of new working arrangements in the aftermath of the pandemic. The conflict between staff and employers highlights the ongoing negotiation over the future of the office and the role remote working will play in it
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