Yes or no? Just days left on industrial rights vote
AT LEAST half of all Federation members in England and Wales – more than 65,000 – will need to vote “yes” in the industrial right ballot if the Police Federation is to pursue the right to take industrial action.
There is just over one week left in the ballot and South Yorkshire Police Federation has urged all members to have their say. Officers have until 28 February to vote but must register by 26 February.
Jim Lucas, secretary of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “I would urge officers to get behind the ballot in the closing week.
“We have had a good response so far, with around 1,600 out of 2,775 officers registering to vote at the last count. Officers should make sure they take part in the ballot, whichever way they choose to vote.”
The National Joint Central Committee has said it was “mindful” that any decision to pursue such a fundamental change to the unique status of police officers must be based on a “proper mandate from the rank and file membership of the PFEW”.
It has therefore reaffirmed a unanimous decision made in October that the mandate must be based on a positive vote of 50 per cent of the membership.
There are currently around 130,000 Federation members, so 65,000 officers would have to vote in favour of pursuing the right to take industrial action for the Federation to go ahead.
Demand for the ballot is said to reflect a growing feeling of frustration among police officers.
Steve Williams, PFEW Chair, said: “It was agreed that for PFEW to embark on a course of action that could potentially change the landscape of British policing forever it would need a clear mandate from its members to do so. I believe the figure agreed would provide us with that mandate.
“Regardless of whether they are in favour or against PFEW seeking industrial rights for police officers, it is crucial that all officers register to vote and take part in the ballot.”
More than 60,000 officers replied to the last Federation “strike” ballot in the spring of 2008, with 86 per cent saying the organisation should ask for a change in legislation to allow police officers “full industrial rights”.